Monday, January 24 2005 14:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition, L K Advani today (Jan 24, 2005) met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and sought Government intervention in securing the release of 644 fishermen apprehended by Pakistani authorities and 160 trawlers seized by them.

During the 30 minute-long meeting, Advani told the Prime Minister that the Pakistani authorities had recently released 266 Gujarati fishermen apprehended by them but unlike in the past, they were sent back to India via the Wagah border and not through sea route along with their fishing boats.

The Pakistani authorities have retained the 157 fishing boats and trawlers worth Rs 19 crore crore thus putting in great difficulties the fishermen whose livelihood depended on them, he said.

Emerging from the meeting, Advani told reporters that the Prime Minister gave him an assurance that the External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh would take up the issue during his visit to Pakistan next month.

Advani said that he had also apprised the Prime Minister of the plight of 644 Gujarati fishermen languishing in Pakistani jails and sought New Delhi's intervention to secure their early release.

The former Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by Gujarat State BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) President Rajinder Sinh Rana, Porbandar MP, Harilal Patel and some leaders of the fishermen community.