29 Indian fishermen arrested by MSA for violating maritime boundary

ISLAMABAD: Authorities detained 29 Indian fishermen, on Thursday, for allegedly violating Pakistan’s maritime boundary, Radio Pakistan reported.

The Maritime Security Agency (MSA) said five boats belonging to the fishermen were also seized. The Indian fishermen were involved in illegal fishing in Pakistani water, a spokesman for the MSA told the media.

The MSA officials, meanwhile, handed over the Indians fishermen to the police for legal proceedings. They will be produced in a court for legal proceedings, according to police.

This is the second time in a month that Pakistani forces captured Indian fishermen. On March 26, Pakistani authorities had detained 100 Indian fishermen.

Every year dozens of Indian and Pakistani fishermen are picked up in the Arabian Sea after straying across maritime borders.

They often languish in prison even after serving their sentences, as poor diplomatic relations between the bitter nuclear foes hamper the bureaucratic process.

Pakistan released 219 Indian fishermen as a “goodwill” gesture in January of this year.

Source: The Express Tribune