Dead bodies of arrested fishermen must be returned without delay: PIPFPD


Dead bodies of arrested fishermen must be returned without delay: PIPFPD

The Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) has appealed to the Indian and Pakistani government to not further delay handing over the dead bodies of two Indian fishermen to their families. Mr. Vaaga Chauhan died on 22nd December 2015 and Ratan Das passed away on 8th February 2016. Their dead bodies have been kept in Edhi Foundation’s morgue in Karachi. According to reports, the conditions of the dead bodies are worsening with each passing day.

It is a matter of concern that even after two and a half months, Chauhan’s body has not been sent to India. “Such a long delays always take place when a poor fisherman dies,” says PIPFPD in a press statement.

“The authorities of both countries need to play a sensitive role in such sad circumstances. There needs to be some mechanism so the dead body can be sent back on the next available flight. Both the deceased fishermen are from Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The family members are frustrated with the delay.

Earlier also, similar delays took places when Indian or Pakistani fishermen died in other country’s prison, notes the rights body.

These cases include:

* Bhikha Lakha Shival (35), an Indian fisherman of Gujarat died in Karachi on 19 December 2013. His body reached India on 15 February 2014.

* Ramjibhai Vala died in Karachi in 2012. His body was returned to India after 45 days.

* Nawaz Ali, a Pakistani fisherman died in Ahmedabad on 8 September 2012. His body reached Pakistan after 25 days.

* Dadubhai Makwana died in Karachi in July 2013 and his body came to India after 21 days.

* Kishore Bhagwan died in Karachi on 4 February 2014 and his body reached India on 29 March 2014.

Aman ki Asha has also taken up this issue and published many pieces about the travesties of justice faced by the poor fishermen and prisoners of both countries, who are pawns in the political tensions between India and Pakistan. See In Humanity’s Name [http://amankiasha.com/?cat=81]




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