Pakistan released 20 Indian fishermen from the Malir detention institution in Karachi on Sunday morning (November 14).
The deportees sat in three tidy rows, their limited belongings and Covid-19 immunization cards in hand, preparing for departure in a vehicle supplied for them by the Edhi Foundation. The majority of the fisherman were imprisoned when they crossed the Pakistani waters four years ago; however, some of them escaped after five years.
Many people wore beaded necklaces and bracelets around their necks and wrists in bright colors. Those were their own creations. The Indian fisherman finds it difficult to follow the education provided to prisoners in the jails here because it is in Urdu or English. As a result, they do better in handicrafts or vocational training.
The suitcases of Ravendra Govind and Makwaran Bhawesh Kumar contained something really remarkable. It was a blue and white bead replica of a Pakistani Coast Guard boat. A tiny white helicopter and a lifeboat were also moored on one of the larger boat’s decks.
Ravendra said, “It is a model of the boat which arrested us at sea four years ago. Its image is imprinted in my mind so me and my friend here, “started working on this model.”
However, one side of the lovely boat was adorned with an Indian flag and also given the name ‘Jiyan Ind.’ Ravi.Vadhel was also the name given to it by the men. When asked why it didn’t have the name of the Pakistani boat, Makwaran explained that while the image of the boat was stuck in their thoughts, the Indian flag was engraved on their hearts.
Moreover, the two friends claimed that their parents had chosen appropriate brides for them back home and that they would be married as soon as they returned.
When the deportees’ names were called out, the jail officials came across two names for whom they said, “Oh come on, won’t you stay a little longer?” “We’ll miss you here,” everyone said, laughing and giggling. The fisherman claimed that the jail staff treated them nicely and that they became friends with them.
“The dinner that was provided to us was really amazing. “Our favorite dish in jail will have to be karhi-pakora,” Himat Balal Babu said. “We’d get chicken dishes three times a week, eggs every morning with paratha, toast, and fantastic tea,” he said.
Arjun Babu, another deportee, had extraordinarily long tresses. He claimed that since his arrest five years ago, he had been growing his hair.
Furthermore, he explained, “It was for the fulfillment of my wish to be released soon. It was a mannat. My hair grew so long and I believe it is thanks to my mannat that all we 20 are being released today. I’ll look for a barber after crossing the border,” he smiled.
Meanwhile, Ravendra expressed his relief at being able to return home but expressed regret at leaving behind numerous another Indian fishermen who, like him, had inadvertently gone into Pakistan.
He appealed, “Please release them as well so that they can be with their families.” He also stated that he will request that Indian authorities release Pakistani fishermen who have been imprisoned in India for years for the same crime.
The deportees were all from the state of Gujarat in India.
The names of the rest are:
- Ranveer Maoo Jee.
- Babu Naran.
- Bhupat Bhagwan.
- Naran Parbat.
- Bhavesh Shara Bhai.
- Rukhad Arjun.
- Dana Bhupat.
- Ransi Bachu.
- Pola Sahur.
- Meepa Aama Bhai.
- Biso Naga.
- Parma Haresh Kumar.
- Paresh Bhai.
- Taba Bhai.
- Vaju Lakhman.
- Juseb Moosa.
The Edhi Foundation, which was also responsible for bringing the deportees to Lahore, gave them gift bags and payment of Rs5,000. They are anticipated to arrive in Lahore by Monday evening via road, where they would be turned over to Indian officials across the Wagah Border.
