Pakistan arrests 48 Indian fishermen; seize eight boats

From Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad/Karachi, Sep 30 (PTI) Pakistani authorities
have arrested 48 Indian fishermen and seized eight boats on
charges of illegally fishing in the country's territorial
waters, an official spokesman said Friday.
The Maritime Security Agency (MSA) arrested the Indian
fishermen late on Thursday night.
"The Indian fishermen strayed into our area and were
warned several times to go back but then arrested when they
didn't heed the calls," spokesman Commander Naeem said.
The fishermen were interrogated and then handed over to
Docks Police in Karachi, the spokesman for the MSA said.
This was the fourth incident of Indian fishermen being
arrested in Pakistani waters during the month of September, he
said.
A total of 94 fishermen were arrested and 21 boats seized
by the MSA, he said.
India and Pakistan arrest hundreds of fishermen on
charges of violating the maritime boundary.
Dozens of fishermen have spent years in jail even after
completing their prison terms.
The governments have in the last few years exchanged or
released the fishermen as part of the slow moving peace
process. In recent months, both countries have taken steps to
speed up the release of the fishermen.