Following their release by the Pakistani government at the Attari-Wagah border on Friday night, 198 Indian fishermen have said that their crossing of the international maritime border was unintentional as they were fishing and ignorant of its location. These fishermen had been imprisoned for violating the border.Typically, fishermen who unknowingly cross the international maritime border in the Arabian Sea face charges of breaking the Passport Act of their respective countries. Therefore, they often receive jail sentences of approximately six months.One of the released fishermen, Biku, shared his experience, stating, “I was held in Pakistani jails for five years. Twelve of us were caught while fishing in two boats and accidentally crossed the border. There were no navigation buoys, beacons, or marks on the water, making it difficult for us to identify the border in the sea. I am delighted to be back in my country now.” Biku also mentioned that there are still 5-6 Indian fishermen being held in Pakistani jails and appealed to the government for assistance.Instances of Indian and Pakistani fishermen unintentionally crossing the international maritime border in the Arabian Sea are not uncommon, resulting in their apprehension by the respective agencies of both countries.#JUSTNOW :- Pakistan handing over Indian fishermen to #BSF at Attari Wagah land route border today. Pakistan has released 198 Indian fishermen after the completion of their prison term. pic.twitter.com/UEy34rv6Eb— Ravinder Singh Robin ਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ رویندرسنگھ روبن (@rsrobin1) May 12, 2023Why do sea border violations occur frequentlyThe problem arises due to the continuing dispute over Sir Creek between India and Pakistan. India advocates for dividing the estuary based on the Thalweg doctrine, while Pakistan is opposed to this division, leading to the dispute. According to the Thalweg doctrine, when a water body passes between two countries, it should be divided in a manner that ensures both countries receive an equal share. This division affects a significant international maritime border between the Rann of Kutch and Sindh in Pakistan, subsequently impacting the exclusive economic zones of both countries. Pakistani authorities arrest the fishermen when they cross the maritime border and also confiscate their boats. The fishermen have requested the return of their captured boats.Ajgar, another fisherman, shared, “We crossed over to Pakistan in the sea where there are no borders. We were caught in 2018. We request your help for those who are still in Pakistani jails. They took our boats, and they have not returned them.”To address this issue, a potential solution could be to provide communication and navigation kits to fishermen from both countries, enabling them to be aware of the border lines and minimize unintended crossings. Both countries should also focus on spreading awareness, providing training to fishermen, and implementing widespread distribution of communication and navigation kits to prevent border violations. Vijay, a fisherman from Gujarat, stated, “I was fishing around the border when Pakistani guards came and took us. Many of us are still held in Pakistani jails. Please help them. We also request the Pakistani government to return our boats.”
