By Geeta Mohan: An Indian fisherman serving his time in Pakistan’s jail died on Sunday. He is the third Indian fisherman to die in Pak custody in a month and fourth in two months. The other Indian fishermen who have died in the last two months are Bichan Kumar alias Vipan Kumar (died on April 4), Zulfiqar (died on May 6), and Soma Deva (died on May 8).
Three other Indian fisherman are in serious condition in Pakistan, sources said.
What is unfortunate is that Jetha had already completed his sentence and, according to sources, Pakistan continues to illegally detain more than 400 Indian prisoners in its jails even after the prisoners have completed their sentences.
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Senior journalist Jatin Desai, who has been following the story of fishermen on both sides of the border, told India Today TV, “It’s a sad state of affairs. The family members of Indian fishermen who are in Pakistan’s custody are worried. In the absence of communication, they are always worried about their near and dear ones who are in Pakistan’s jails.”
“India and Pakistan must allow a team of doctors to visit the other country to check on their own prisoners. It will also give some confidence to the family members,” Desai added.
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“It’s just terrible. Even after the completion of sentence and the confirmation of nationality, keeping them in jails is a violation of the Agreement on Consular Access, 2008. It must be implemented in letter and spirit,” Desai said.
According to Section 5 of the Agreement on Consular Access, 2008, “Both governments agree to release and repatriate persons within one month of confirmation of their national status and completion of sentences.”
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