Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether it is a fact that a large number of fishermen are being arrested in sea by the coast guard in our country as well as neighbouring countries;

(b) if so, the number of Indian fishermen arrested during the last three years; and

(c) the steps Government is taking for the release of fishermen?

ANSWER: THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)

(a) Yes.

(b) & (c) During the period 2009 till July 2012, 1543 Indian fishermen were arrested by concerned coast guard authorities in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Bangladesh for reportedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line. Immediately on receipt of information of the arrest of the Indian fishermen, our Missions in all the neighbouring countries took up the issue with the concerned local Departments/ agencies for securing expeditious release of the arrested fishermen. As a result of Government of India’s efforts, most of the arrested fishermen have been released and repatriated.

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South Asia