Ministry of External Affairs Government of India

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.453
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018

FISHERMEN IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES JAILS

453. SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:
SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:



Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of Indian fishermen and their boats in the custody of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at present;

(b) the total number of fishermen released during the current year from these countries;

(c) the details of steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to secure release of all the fishermen; and

(d) steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to rehabilitate fishermen and their families whose boats have been confiscated by these countries?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) The details of Indian fishermen and their boats in the custody of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and the number of Indian fishermen released from these countries are given at the annexure. (c) & (d) The Government attaches the highest priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. Our Missions and Posts regularly seek consular access to Indian fishermen detained in foreign countries, ensure their welfare and also pursue their early release and repatriation, along with their boats. Given the humanitarian and livelihood dimensions of this issue, the Government has put in place several bilateral mechanisms to ensure cooperation and understanding between India and the countries concerned, to promote the safety and security of Indian fishermen.

* Pakistan has acknowledged custody of only 391 Indian fishermen. $ Pakistan does not acknowledge the number of Indian Fishing Boats (IFBs) in their custody.*****