337 Indian prisoners, including fishermen, in Pak custody: Govt

A total of 337 Indian prisoners, including fishermen, are believed to be in Pakistan’s custody, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said on Wednesday (March 17) in the Lok Sabha.

The neighbouring country has acknowledged the custody of 261 of them, he said.

In a written reply to a question in the Lower House, the minister said 270 Indian fishermen have been in Pakistan’s custody for less than five years.

However, Pakistan has, so far acknowledged the custody of 207 Indian fishermen Muraleedharan said, adding that India desires normal neighbourly relations.

“Our consistent position is that issues, if any, between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully, in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence,” he said.

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“The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible action to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross-border terrorism against India in any manner,” Muraleedharan said.

He said as a result of “persistent efforts”, the Indian government has been successful in securing the release and repatriation of 2,100 Indian fishermen, from Pakistan’s custody since 2014.

Thirty-four other Indian civilians have spent less than five years in Pakistan’s prisons, the minister mentioned.

“As per available information, 337 Indian prisoners, including fishermen, are believed to be in Pakistan’s custody. However, as per the lists exchanged between the Governments of India and Pakistan on January 1 ,2020, Pakistan has acknowledged the custody of 261 Indian prisoners, including fishermen, in its custody,” he said.

Muraleedharan said 19 Indian civilians have spent between five to 10 years in Pakistan’s prisons, 11 Indians have spent 10-15 years and three Indians have spent more than 15 years.