266 Indian Fishermen Languishing in Foreign Jails, Government Working for Early Release

In a concerning situation, 266 Indian fishermen are currently languishing in foreign jails, as revealed by the Indian government on Tuesday. The government's response came in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, provided by Parshottam Rupala, the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.

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Distribution of Fishermen in Different Countries

The data provided by the Ministry of External Affairs indicates that the majority of these fishermen are from two Indian states: Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. There are 41 fishermen from Tamil Nadu who are detained in Sri Lanka, while 184 fishermen from Gujarat are held in Pakistan. Additionally, 10 fishermen are in Bahrain, and 31 are in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Boats in Custody

The situation is further compounded by the fact that a significant number of fishing boats from India are also in the custody of foreign countries. According to the available data, 1,172 fishing boats from Gujarat and 87 fishing boats from Tamil Nadu are currently in the custody of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, respectively.

Government's Efforts

The Indian government has emphasized that it places the highest priority on the safety, security, and welfare of Indian fishermen. As soon as cases of apprehension of Indian fishermen and their fishing boats are reported, immediate steps are taken by Indian Missions and Posts to seek consular access, ensure their welfare, and pursue their early release and repatriation along with their boats.

Consular Support

Consular Officers of Missions/Posts make regular visits to local jails and detention centres to ascertain the condition of Indian fishermen lodged in foreign jails. They provide requisite help and support, including legal assistance through the Indian Community Welfare Fund.

Cooperation with Law Enforcement Agencies

Missions/Posts abroad also approach the law enforcement agencies in the respective countries to complete the investigation and judicial proceedings as expeditiously as possible. The focus of the government's efforts is on securing the early release of fishermen.

Preventive Measures

To prevent such incidents, the Indian Coast Guard takes regular steps to guide Indian fishermen not to cross the perceived International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) through various community interaction programs. Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft maintain close surveillance along the perceived IMBL and guide Indian fishing boats towards Indian waters to prevent their apprehension by Maritime Security Agencies of neighbouring countries, if necessary.

Bilateral Mechanisms

The government remains continuously engaged in efforts to secure the early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen along with their fishing boats. To this end, the government has put in place bilateral mechanisms to ensure cooperation and understanding between India and the countries concerned. These mechanisms aim to promote the safety and security of Indian fishermen.

The plight of Indian fishermen languishing in foreign jails highlights the need for continued efforts and cooperation between India and the concerned countries. By providing consular support, pursuing early release, and implementing preventive measures, the Indian government is working towards ensuring the safety and well-being of its fishermen.