Five mistakenly jailed Pak sailors 'touched by India's love and kindness'
Five Pakistani sailors, who were mistakenly declared as prisoners and were living in a Mumbai police station premises for three months, were finally set free on Friday, an official said.
They said they are touched by the love, kindness and help extended to them by the Indians.
According to Abraham Mathai, vice-chairman of the Maharashtra Minorities Commission (MMC), the sailors were released with the collaboration of eminent film-maker Mahesh Bhatt and the Harmony Foundation, of which Bhatt is the chief patron.
'The five sailors, who were actually hostages for two months aboard Al-Murtuza, a fishing ship hijacked by Somali pirates, were erroneously labelled as 'prisoners'. Later, it came to light they were innocent citizens who underwent another unfortunate three months' stay in Mumbai,' Mathai said.
The five Pakistanis were among 16 hostages, including 11 Iranians, who were rescued by the Indian Navy from Somali pirates in an operation off Lakshadweep Islands in March this year.
'On learning about their sad plight, the Harmony Foundation moved all possible ministries and departments in New Delhi and Mumbai and succeeded in finalising their travel documents and other arrangements in less than a week,' Mathai said.
Addressing mediapersons here Friday evening, Bhatt said that the manner in which officers of the Yellow Gate police station in south Mumbai took care of the five Pakistani sailors is proof that 'there are many good people on both sides of the border'.
'The police officials looked after the Pakistanis by spending from their own pockets for almost three months. This is a truly commendable move,' Bhatt remarked.
Text: PTI/IANS
Images: PTI
Image: Mahesh Bhatt, film-maker and a member of Harmony Foundation, with Pakistani hostages rescued by the Indian Army from the clutches of Somali pirates, in Mumbai on Friday.
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