156 Pakistan fishermen head for home

While Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh welcomed General Pervez Musharraf to New Delhi on Sunday, 156 Pakistani fishermen were released on hu...

While Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh welcomed General Pervez Musharraf to New Delhi on Sunday, 156 Pakistani fishermen were released on humanitarian grounds in Ahmedabad.

Arrested by Coast Guard officials for allegedly fishing in Indian waters, the fishermen, including two minors, thanked the government for their release and departed from Ahmedabad by the Jammu-Tawi Express.

‘‘They will be the escorted till Wagah border and handed over to Pakistani authorities,’’ said Jamnagar District Superintendent of Police Manoj Shasidhar.

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‘‘We sincerely thank the Indian government for releasing us and also request Pakistani authorities to release Indian fishermen,’’ said 42-year-old Amiyatullah who was arrested in 2002 along with 52 others.

The fishermen were eager to be home again but were also worried about the heavy debts which they have to pay off. ‘‘Back home joy and financial troubles await us. I had taken a loan for a new boat. Now I have lost it and don’t have the money to repay the debt,’’ said Farooq Ghani.

Some young fishermen said the experience has made them give up fishing altogether and that they were now willing to work as daily wagers.