RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3443
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2021.
FISHERMEN KEPT ILLEGALLY IN THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
3443. SHRI VAIKO:
Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Indian fishermen who have been kept illegally by neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Iran were released recently;
(b) if so, the number of fishermen released by these countries and their details, State-wise;
(c) the number of fishermen still kept in custody in other countries; and
(d) steps taken to get them released and repatriate to India?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)
(a) to (d) Government attaches the highest priority to the welfare, safety and security of Indian fishermen.
From time to time, Indian fishermen are apprehended by neighbouring countries on charges of fishing in their territorial waters.
As soon as cases of apprehension of Indian fishermen by neighbouring countries are reported, immediate steps are taken by the concerned Indian Missions for consular access to them. All possible assistance, including legal assistance, is extended to the fishermen for their early release and repatriation.
The following numbers of Indian fishermen have been released by neighbouring countries during 2020-21:
Pakistan
Pakistan
State
Year |
Gujarat |
Andhra Pradesh |
Uttar Pradesh |
Daman and Diu |
West Bengal |
Assam |
Total Released |
| 2020 |
0 |
19 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
20 |
Sri Lanka
SriLanka
State
Year |
Tamil Nadu |
Puducherry |
Total Released |
|
2020 |
49 |
0 |
49 |
|
2021 |
52 |
0 |
52 |
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
State
Year |
West Bengal |
Andhra Pradesh |
Total Released |
|
2020 |
117 |
8 |
125 |
Iran
Iran
|
State
Year |
Tamil Nadu |
Total Released |
|
2020 |
12 |
12 |
Details of Indian fishermen that remain in custody in neighbouring countries are as follows
presentation
|
Country |
No. of Indian Fishermen in Custody |
|
Pakistan |
270 (as per the lists exchanged between India and Pakistan on 01 January, 2021) |
|
Bangladesh |
61 |
|
Sri Lanka |
0 |
|
Iran |
09 |
All cases of apprehension of Indian fishermen and their fishing boats by neighbouring countries are consistently raised with their Governments and it is requested to consider this issue on purely humanitarian and livelihood grounds.
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