This Article is From Oct 30, 2010

32 Indian fishermen arrested by Pak authorities

Islamabad: Pakistani authorities have arrested 32 Indian fishermen and seized six fishing boats for allegedly entering the country's Exclusive Economic Zone illegally, officials said on Saturday.

The Maritime Security Agency apprehended the Indian fishermen approximately 60 nautical miles inside Pakistani waters on Friday, the officials said.

The fishermen were taken to the southern port city of Karachi, where they are being interrogated by security agencies to "establish their exact identity and intent for operating" in Pakistani waters, the officials said.

India and Pakistan arrest scores of fishermen every year for violating the maritime boundary between the two countries.

The fishermen often languish in jail for years even after completing their prison terms.

Pakistan recently freed 442 Indian fishermen after two NGOs filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking their release.

A court in Karachi recently ordered authorities to repatriate another 142 fishermen.

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