Vadodara : The Pakistan Fisheries Authority has released over 184 fishermen who were lodged in the jails of the neighbouring for a long time. An emotional scene was witnessed when these fishermen reached Vadodara railway station. These Indian fishermen who ventured into Pakistani waters to catch fish were caught and imprisoned by their navy. Families of these released fishermen are happy to see them again.
Gujarat Agriculture Minister Radhavji Patel reached the railway station to welcome the fishermen. Over 184 fishermen from Gujarat and other States who were imprisoned in Pakistan's Karachi jail have returned. Raghavji Patel welcomed them at Vadodara railway station and sent everyone home via bus. The fishermen said that they have faced many difficulties in the jail. Due to the efforts of the State and Government of India, they have been released.
The released fishermen were brought to Vadodara railway station by train from Amritsar. Director of Fisheries Nitin Sanghwan also came there to welcome the fishermen. The fishermen were sent by bus to their native village Veraval. Minister Radhavji said that all these fishermen have been released from Wagah Border in Punjab.
The fishermen recounted their woes and said that they went beyond our territorial waters. After they suddenly went into the middle of the water, they were caught and imprisoned by Pakistani soldiers. One fisherman said that he was in jail for the last three and a half years and he was released on the 11th of May. "Today we are going home. Very happy to go home. We had to suffer a lot in jail, we did not get food on time," said Kantibhai Makwana.
Usually when some national festival is celebrated, the Pakistani authorities release the fishermen like this. But, this thing has become possible with the cooperation of the Government of India and the State. Even when all these fishermen came to India, they have been sent home with adequate security.
"I am a resident of Gir Somnath in Kodinar Taluka. We went fishing in the sea where there is no wall. We crossed the waterline due to the current or tide. Pakistan Coast Guard caught us. We were lodged in Karachi jail for 4 years. We are free now. Living in Pakistani jails was very difficult. We had to eat whatever we got, if we didn't behave well, we were beaten. One situation is such that one cannot even come out of the room," said Lakhabhai.
Most of the released fishermen are from the Gir Somnath district. Then there are also some fishermen of Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kutch, Valsad and Navsari. The data was collected after getting the details of the sailors from the fisheries department. After the efforts of the Central and State Governments, talks were held with the Pakistani authorities and these fishermen were released eventually.
