Question : INDIANS IN JAILS ABROAD

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Raajhaa Shri Anwhar,Bhamre Dr. Subhash Ramrao
03-12-2014

(a) whether a number of Indians viz., civilians, Prisoners of War (PoW) are languishing in various jails abroad, particularly in Pakistan and if so, the details thereof, country and category-wise along with the time since when they have been held prisoners;

(b) whether many Indian fishermen allegedly died in Pak jails recently and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of prisoners who are still in jails despite completing their sentences, country-wise, particularly in Pakistan;

(d) whether the Government has taken up this issue with the concerned countries for early release of these prisoners and if so, the details of efforts made in this regard; and

(e) the number of prisoners released as a result thereof during the last three years and the time by which the rest of the prisoners are likely to be released, country-wise?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 151 REGARDING “INDIANS IN JAILS ABROAD” FOR ANSWER ON 03.12.2014

(a) 6483 Indian nationals are detained in jails in 68 countries. Detailed list indicating country and category-wise is attached (Annexure A).

As per unconfirmed records available with the High Commission of India, Islamabad, 74 missing Prisoners of War (PoW) are languishing in Pak jails.

(b) Details of Indian fishermen who have died in Pak jails since 2008 is given below:

	Year	Details	2008	2 Indian fishermen Laxman Kanji died on	28.03.2008 and Bhagwan Bhega died on	23.06.2008.	2009	1 Indian fisherman Bambhania Lakha died on	25.05.2009	2010	1 Indian fisherman Shri Chagan S/o Soma, died on	13.01.2010	2011	NIL	2012	1 Indian fisherman Ram Bhai Ahir s/o Kala Bhai Ahir	died on 28.05.2012	2013	02 Indian fishermen Dadu Bhai s/o Naran Bhai died	on 03.07.2013 and Bhika Bhai s/o Lakha Bhai died	on 19.12.2013	2014	4 Indian fishermen Kishore s/o Bhagwan died on	04.02.2014, Arvind s/o Durlabh Bhai died on	02.05.2014, Shingad Balabhai s/o Naranbha died	on 25.07.2014 and Mr. Jania @ Chania s/o Lahnu @	Lahno reported to have died on 04.11.2014.

	3	in Bahrain,	43	in Bangladesh and	276	in Pakistan.

Indian Missions and Posts in those countries have taken up with the respective Foreign Governments for the speeding up of the process, including issue of Exit Visas, waiver of penalties imposed on Indian workers, etc. from the concerned authorities and for the early return of the Indian nationals to India. Where required, Indian Missions/Posts abroad also provide air tickets for facilitating the return of Indian prisoners who have completed their sentence to India. As a result of our efforts, following Indian prisoners have got released and repatriated from Pakistan to India from 2011 to date as given below:

	Year	Number of Prisoners released by Pak authorities	201	116	2012	703	2013	428	2014 (till date)	151

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Question : INDIANS IN JAILS ABROAD

Answer given by the minister

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