Plea to PM for ex-gratia to kin of fishermen died in Pakistani jails

City-based human rights activist MK Paul has written a letter to prime minister Manmohan Singh and sought his intervention for payment of compensation to legal heirs of four poor fishermen died in Pakistan jail.
       
Paul, in his letter to the prime minister-copy of which released to PTI today, said that four fishermen identified as Valji Soma, Bhagvan Nathu, Sidi Nathu and Purshottam Bawa have died in Pakistani jail after being caught by the Pakistan marine security agency and their heirs have not been given any compensation.
       
He said that there is a settled policy of Government of India paying Rs5 lakh, in case of death of detained fishermen in Pakistan jail and Rs3 lakh for long detention. Therefore, the government should pay Rs5 lakh to legal heirs of the four died in Pak jail, Paul said.
       
He said that after release of 100 fishermen recently by Pakistan there are still 531 fishermen who are still rotting in Pakistan jails. Therefore, Rupees three lakh should be given as compensation to the families of the detained fishermen as per the settled policy of government of India.
       
Paul demanded that a joint meeting of Human Rights Commission of both the countries should be arranged at their respective national capitals to settle all the pending cases of violation of Human Rights of fishermen and prisoners of war (PoWs) languishing in jails of India and Pakistan.