Lok Sabha Question No. 2976 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Welfare of Fishermen
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam, Giridhari Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2976 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## WELFARE OF FISHERMEN

## † 2976. SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM: SHRI GIRIDHARI YADAV:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government gives priority to the welfare, safety and security of the fishermen;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of fishermen imprisoned in foreign jails and the cases filed in foreign courts during last three years;
- (d) the number of fishermen who got released during the last three years and the number of fishermen presently imprisoned in foreign jails; and
- (e) the measures taken by the Government to get such imprisoned fishermen released?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) Government attaches highest priority to the welfare, safety and security of Indian fishermen.  Steps have been taken by Indian Coast Guard to guide Indian fishermen not to cross-over the perceived International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) through various community interaction programmes for the fishing community. The Indian Coast Guard ships also shepherd the Indian fishing boats clear from the perceived IMBL to prevent their apprehension by Maritime Security Agencies of neighbouring countries. In cases of apprehension of Indian fishermen and their fishing boats by foreign authorities, the matter is raised at the highest levels and strong protests are lodged in the countries concerned. It is reiterated   to   the   countries   concerned   that   the   fishermen   issue   may   be considered as a purely humanitarian and livelihood concern and there should not be any use of force under any circumstances.

(c) to (e) As soon as the cases of apprehension of Indian fishermen and their fishing boats by foreign authorities are reported, immediate steps are taken by Indian   Missions/   Posts   abroad   towards  seeking   consular   access   from   foreign governments, extending all possible assistance including legal assistance for their early release and repatriation, along with boats. Missions/ Posts abroad also approach   the   law   enforcement   agencies   to   complete   the   investigation   and judicial proceedings at the earliest possible.

Missions/   Posts   abroad   also   provide   logistical   assistance   to   repair   the boats, etc. if needed, with local Police.

As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indian fishermen   arrested   and   released   during   the   last   three   years   and   presently detained as given below -

|            |   Number of fishermen arrested during the last three years |   Number of fishermen released during the last three years |   Number of fishermen presently under detention |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| Bangladesh |                                                        644 |                                                        606 |                                              38 |
| Iran       |                                                        171 |                                                        159 |                                              12 |
| Pakistan   |                                                       1327 |                                                       1057 |                                             270 |
| Qatar      |                                                        108 |                                                        108 |                                               0 |
| Sri Lanka  |                                                        853 |                                                        849 |                                               4 |

102 cases related to fishermen have been filed in foreign courts since 2017.

As a result of sustained diplomatic efforts by the Government, 2779 Indian fishermen have been released by foreign Governments during the last three years.

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