577 Indian Fishermen Remain In Pakistan Custody, 9 Died In Last Five Years: MEA

In 2017, three fishermen died in Pakistan custody, two in 2018, one in 2019, none in 2020, two in 2021 and one so far in 2022, the MEA informed.

New Delhi: Around 577 Indian fishermen are in Pakistan’s custody and nine have died in their jails in the last five years, according to minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan.

"As per the lists exchanged on 1 January 2022, Pakistan acknowledged the custody of 577 fishermen who are Indian or are believed to be Indian. As per available information, 9 Indian fishermen died in Pakistani jails in the last five years,” Muraleedharan said in response to a question raised by BJP MP Mahesh Poddar in Rajya Sabha Monday.

While sharing the responses to his queries, BJP MP Mahesh Poddar tweeted, “Hope that the government acts quickly to release the remaining fishermen in custody.”</p

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India and Pakistan have a Bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, 2008, under which both countries exchange lists on January 1 and July 1 every year on civilian prisoners and fishermen detained in their respective custody, said Muraleedharan.

In a written response, Muraleedharan informed the Upper House of Parliament that as soon as cases of apprehension of Indian fishermen and their fishing boats are reported, “immediate steps” are taken by the Indian Mission in Islamabad towards seeking consular access from the Pakistan government.

“As a result of sustained efforts by the Indian government, 2,140 Indian fishermen and 57 Indian fishing boats have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014,” the MoS said.

Over the past five years, nine Indian fishermen have died in Pakistani jails. In 2017, three fishermen died in custody, two in 2018, one in 2019, none in 2020, two in 2021 and one so far in 2022 as of March 10, the MEA informed.

While the minister in a written response said no Indian fisherman has died in Sri Lankan custody in the last five years. From 2021 to March this year, 239 Indian fishermen were arrested, of which India has secured the release of all 159 arrested last year. Out of the 80 fishermen arrested in 2022, 44 have been released and talks are on to free the remaining 36.