Why Indian fishermen end up in Pakistani jails

Call it the lure of the game, but when it comes to venturing near the Pakistani Maritime Boundary in the Arabian sea, the Indian fishermen risk everything.

Often during such ventures, many fishermen and their boats land in the custody of Pakistan's maritime security agencies.

Even after the release of 99 of them, around 400 fishermen are still in Pakistani jails, official sources said.

It is these captured fishing trawlers which have become a cause of concern for Indian security officials who apprehend that the boats could be used for terror attacks.

About 380 Indian fishing boats are in the custody of Pakistan.

Last month, Pakistani-based terrorists got hold of the Indian fishing trawler 'Kuber' of Porbandar-based fisherman Velji Masani, to sneak through the sea route and wreak havoc in Mumbai.

Custom officials based on the Gujarat coast said reasons behind fishermen crossing the international maritime boundary could be many. Sometimes, they inadvertently cross it as there is no clear demarcation in the sea.

At other times, the fishermen take the risk for a better catch. Boat owners give them incentives for the 'adventure', the officials said.

"Waters near Jakhau is the only area where a variety of fish are found in large numbers on the Gujarat coast," Jivan Jungi, vice-president of the Gujarat Fishermen Association said.

"The breeding area of a large number of fish partly falls in Indian waters, while it is partly in the Maritime boundary of Pakistan. Fishermen sometimes stray into Pakistani waters unknowingly and sometimes they take the risk," Jungi said, adding that the cost of one fishing trip to Jakhau comes to around Rs one lakh and boat owners often instruct the fishermen to go for the maximum catch.

Pakistani fishermen are also often victims like their Indian counterparts. They stray into the Indian maritime boundary and get caught, Custom officials said.

In the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack, security agencies have launched several measures to desist fishermen from venturing into the Pakistani maritime boundary.

The customs department has become strict in issuing identity cards to them. Uniform ID cards are issued to fishermen in the Saurashtra region.

Besides, records would be maintained for all fishermen registered with Indian Customs, Assistant Commissioner of Customs Department Uma Shankar said.

The state government has introduced global positioning system on fishing boats to help fishermen ensure that they do not cross the maritime boundary.