Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of fishermen and boats released by the neighbouring countries from their captivity during the current year;
(b) the number of Indian fishermen and fishing boats still languishing in their jails as on date, country-wise and State-wise; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government of India to get the fishermen and their boats released from these countries?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SMT. PRENEET KAUR)

(a) The details of the Indian fishermen and fishing boats released by Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the current year are as follows:-

(b) The details of the Indian fishermen and fishing boats in custody of Pakistan and Sri Lanka are as follows:-

(c) Government has been making persistent efforts for the release of Indian fishermen and their boats from Pakistan and Sri Lanka. An India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners was formed on February 26, 2008 to make recommendations to the two Governments, which inter alia included immediate release of and consular access to fishermen, and exchange of a consolidated list of nationals in each other’s jails. India and Sri Lanka agreed on 26th October 2008 to put in place practical arrangements to deal with bonafide Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). As part of these practical arrangements, it was decided that there will be no firing on Indian fishermen and vessels, and Indian fishing vessels will not tread into sensitive areas designated by GoSL along its coastline.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220216946.

Lok Sabha

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