Pakistani agency abducts Indian fishermen, seizes 14 trawlers

In the second such incident within a fortnight, Pakistan Marine Security Agency (PMSA) apprehended 20 Indian fishermen and seized 14 fishing boats, a fishermen's body claimed today.

The PMSA yesterday confronted 15 Indian fishing trawlers with 80 fishermen in international waters from Zakhau coast. Later, it apprehended 20 fishermen and 14 Indian boats taking them to Karachi, National Fish Workers' Forum national secretary Manish Lodhari told PTI.

"However, the PMSA let off a boat with 60 Indian fishermen which will reach Okha port tonight and they informed us that 12 Indian fishermen were abducted and 14 fishing trawlers seized," he seized.

A fortnight ago, on October 16, PMSA had apprehended 13 Indian fishermen and seized 12 boats. The agency had then confronted 76 fishermen and seized 13 boats.

Lodhari said this is the third such incident within a month, adding that close to 670 boats and 150 fishermen are in Pakistani custody.

He said that repeated pleas to state and central governments to solve this issue have fallen on deaf ears.

The National Fish Workers' Forum and other fish workers' associations have made repeated requests to the state and union governments to make the international waters a common zone, sought license for fishermen and signing of an agreement between the two countries to solve the issue.

Lodhari also said that the apprehended fishermen, who were captains of their boats, belonged to Porbandar and its adjoining areas, whereas the released fishermen were from across the country.