Daily Times

“Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS) received the information of their release from India and we came to know through FCS” said Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) spokesman Kamal Shah.

He said that these fishermen are in a jail in Kutch district of Indian state of Gujarat and will be released on Thursday (today). “After release from the jail, they will travel through train and will reach to Attari, the Indo-Pakistani border on other side of the Wagah on Friday night and on next day Indian authorities would handover them to Pakistan authorities. “They will reach to Karachi on Sunday, where families, relatives and other fishermen would welcome them,” said Shah.

These fishermen of Sindh belong to a small fishermen hamlet, Bajhario Thahmore near Jahan Chach Khan town, in Thatta district. These nine fishermen including three brothers, Abdul Sattar Thahmor, Asghar Thahmor and Hussain Thahmor, 12-year old Ali Nawaz Thahmor, Ibrahim Thahmor, Ali Thahmor, Shaukat Thahmor, 10 year old Sikander and Akbar Thahmor.

These Pakistani fishermen were arrested by Indian Coast Guard on October 02, 2016 from Sir Creek area when they were busy in their routine fishing. The Indian coast guard ship Samudra Pavak apprehended the boat and its all nine crew members and seized the boat and their catch.

Later, they were taken to Porbandar, a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, for investigation and finally Indian authorities announced that they are only fishermen. They were sent to the jail.

These fishermen were arrested during the Indian coast guard’s intensified surveillance along the 1,600 km long coastline in Gujarat, followed by a terrorist attack on military camp at Uri in Indian occupied Kashmir in which 18 soldiers were killed.

“We hope that Indian will release more Pakistan fishermen in coming days as Pakistan has released 68 fishermen, so at least India must release same number of fishermen immediately,” Shah demanded.

These fishermen are resident of River Indus delta and many of them were once farmers in the fertile deltaic region, but after the reducing flows in River Indus due to construction of dams and barrages, the delta destroyed and fertile land turned barren, they became fishermen.

After some time, due to pollution and overfishing, they were unable to find good catch. Since, fishing is prohibited near the areas of controversial Sir Creek, fish is abundant, so hoping for a good catch when Pakistani fishermen go to the area, Indian authorities arrest them and same happened when Indian fishermen visit the same area, Pakistani authorities arrest them.

“This issue should be resolved on permanent basis,” demands Shah.