Days after 22 Indian fishermen were released from Karachi’s Malir jail and crossed the international border to reach India, it has come to the fore that all of them were unwell and one of them is allegedly suffering from cancer, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday.
Pakistan released the 22 Indian fishermen, most of them being from Gujarat, on Friday. They crossed the Wagah-Attari border on Saturday and are expected to reach their homes soon.
“All of them were not keeping well. Two were suffering from TB and few had hypertension”, said Jatin Desai, Mumbai-based journalist and peace activist. One fisherman is also said to be suffering from cancer. Of the 22, 18 are said to be from Gujarat and one from the Union Territory of Diu. They are said to have been caught violating the water boundary over the last three years.
With the release of these 22, as of now 194 Indian fishermen are still in Malir jail, said Desai, in a press statement.
The released Indian fishermen were brought to Lahore from Karachi in a special bus run by Edhi Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Pakistan.
“Each Indian fisherman was provided with PKR 5,000, meals, and gifts by the Edhi Foundation,” a spokesperson for Edhi Foundation told news agency PTI.
“India and Pakistan must release and repatriate all fishermen of each other’s country from its prison as they were arrested for crossing the water border inadvertently. Most of them have also completed their sentences and their nationality is verified”, said Desai.
with PTI inputs
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
