Gujarat fisherman dies in Pakistani jail

Vadodara

A fisherman from Gujarat had died recently in a Pakistan jail but the cause of his death is not clear, a senior official said today.

The deceased was identified as Vaaga Bijal Chauhan from Junagad district, and Home Ministry has asked the government to make necessary arrangements to hand over his body to his kin when it reaches here, Gujarat Fisheries Commissioner M A Narmawala told PTI.

His identity was conveyed to the state government by Union Home Ministry today, he said.

Chauhan was captured along with his boat by Pakistan Marine Security Agency (PMSA) on April 16 last year while fishing.

He hailed from Dandi village in Una taluka.

It is not yet clear how he died and when his body will reach here, the officer said.

“We have asked the officers of the district fisheries department at Veraval to visit Dandi village and take consent of Chauhan’s kin for taking possession of his body,” said Narmawala.

Initially, the fisherman was identified only as Vaaga Bana by the Union Home Ministry.

“Union Home Ministry today sent another communication to Gujarat government correcting the name of the deceased fisherman as Vaaga Bijal Chauhan. Our office has received the communication,” said Narmawala.

Senior vice-president of the Gujarat Fishermen Association, Veljibhai Masani said the name of Chauhan is on the list of names of fishermen from Gujarat who have been languishing in Pakistani jails.

“The cause of Chauhan’s death is yet to be ascertained. I had also contacted the Pakisani People Fish Forum seeking details about the fisherman, but failed to get proper response,” he said.

PTI