Fisheries Department of the Gujarat government has canceled registration of 419 boats belonging to local fishermen seized by Pakistani police under directives from the Centre, official sources said.

The Pakistani government had stopped releasing seized Indian boats from its custody since 2003.

A large number of boats belonging to fishermen from Gujarat were seized for straying in Pakistani waters and are still with the neighbouring country authorities. Most of them are now reportedly not seaworthy.

There are apprehensions that the seized Indian boats could be misused by some elements in Pakistan and that could possibly be the reason behind the Indian government asking Gujarat to cancel their registrations.

Gujarat Agriculture and Fishing minister Dilip Sanghani had said that the Centre had never taken up seriously the issue of release of seized Indian boats and trawlers with its counterpart in Pakistan.