Pakistan Press International (22 March 2008)


KARACHI, , March 22 (PPI): Former Federal Minister for Human Rights Ansar Burney Friday expressed grief over the death of an Indian National, who expired on Thursday in Landhi Jail, Karachi and ordered an immediate enquiry. 39-year-old Laxman son of Kanji, an Indian fisherman, was arrested in February 2006 by the Marine Security Agency for entering into Pakistani waters. He was lodged in Landhi jail since Feb.10, 2006.

Expressing grief on the death of Laxman, Ansar Burney said it was sad that he died here away from his family in Pakistan and had spent 2 years in a Pakistani prison for a crime in which he should have already been released. However, Burney said that as per initial report the prisoner died of natural causes. Ansar Burney said that hundreds of poor Pakistani and Indian fishermen are being kept in internment in jails of two countries for crossing an invisible line that divide Pakistani and Indian territorial waters. He said the vast majority of these fishermen cross international borders unintentionally, but still they are arrested, their boats impounded and they keep longing in jails for years. He said many are the sole bread earners for their families or are fathers of young children; and in their absence, their families suffer immensely. Even when they are released, these fishermen return without their boats or equipment. Ansar Burney said that instead of arresting such men who were only trying to earn a decent living and feed their families, the Pakistani and Indian security forces must come up with a better plan, as they themselves were aware that the fishermen were crossing the border accidentally and only in search of fish. He said that instead of arresting these fishermen and impounding their boats, they should instead be guided back into their own countries waters. The Federal Minister said that instead of politicising the issue, all such fishermen lodged in their jails be released on an urgent basis along with return of their impounded boats so they continue to earn their livelihood for their families.

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