New Delhi: An increasing number of Indians, mostly fishermen, have been dying in Pakistani custody lately in an “alarming” development, India said today, while informing that 6 have perished in a span of just 9 months.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said India is concerned over this trend and has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan.
“What we understand is that there have been an increasing number of deaths of fishermen in recent times,” Bagchi said at a media briefing here.
He said 6 Indian prisoners, 5 of them fishermen, have died in Pakistani custody in the last 9 months.
These are the people who have completed their sentences but were illegally detained by Pakistan, Bagchi said.
“These increasing incidents of death of Indian prisoners are alarming and raises questions of their safety and security in Pakistani jails,” he said.
“The matter has been raised by our High Commission in Islamabad as well as with the Pakistani High Commission here,” the MEA spokesman said.
“Pakistan is duty-bound to maintain the safety and security of Indian prisoners,” Bagchi added.
Pakistan routinely captures Indian fishermen in the high seas when they venture out there for fishing.
