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Pak fishermen in Mumbai all set to go home today

June 24, 2011 11:21 IST
After a happy ending to the 10-month ordeal for the six Indian sailors who finally landed at New Delhi's IGI airport, the five Pakistani fishermen currently lodged at Mumbai's Yellow Gate police station are also all set to leave for Pakistan.

Following a communication from the Union home ministry, authorities at Mumbai's Yellow Gate police station are now ready with the requisite preparations to hand over the five Pakistani fishermen to the visiting personnel of the Pakistani high commission.

"We have sent a car to receive the contingent from the Pakistan high commission to the airport. We are waiting for the team to reach the police station," senior police inspector Chadrakant Naik told rediff.com.

Investigating officer Mangesh Tope and Aurangazeb Nabi Baksh have gone to the airport to receive the Pakistani high commission officials.

As per the instructions from the home ministry, officers from the Yellow Gate police station will formally handover the five Pakistani fishermen after completion of the paperwork formalities.

Officials from the Pakistan high commission are expected to hand over the travel documents for the exit of the fishermen who have been staying at Mumbai's Yellow gate police station for the last three months.

"We don't have much to pack except a few clothes. We have packed those and are waiting very eagerly to go home," says a visibly excited Farhad Alam.

The five Pakistani fishermen were rescued by the Indian Navy on March 12 along with 11 other Iranian sailors and fishermen. While the Iranians were sent home by the Iranian consulate authorities, the five Pakistani fishermen were stranded due to delays in diplomatic procedures.

Toral Varia in Mumbai