Maritime agency arrests 29 Indian fishermen

The Pakistan Maritime Security  Agency (PMSA) on  Thursday arrested 29 Indian  fishermen for violating marine  boundaries.  According to the PMSA’s  spokesperson the 29 Indian  fishermen violated Pakistan’s  maritime boundaries. Five of  their boats were also seized.  The detained fishermen were  handed over to the Docks police  station.  Last month, on March 26,  nearly 100 Indian fishermen  were taken into custody for  illegally fishing in Pakistan’s  boundaries. In addition 19  boats were also held during  the MSA’s raid.  Given both the country’s  volatile terms, arrests of fishermen  of both the countries  by marine authorities has become  routine. While some are  released, several others keep  languishing in jails despite  having served their sentences.  Pakistan in January this  year released 219 Indian fishermen  as a goodwill gesture,  while 18 Pakistani fishermen  arrested in India reached  Karachi on March 4. — INP