Guj fisherman died in Pak jail in March; kin learns of it today

The family of a Gujarat fisherman, who was languishing in a Pakistan jail, found out about his death, which occurred on March 4, today after a letter written by one of his cellmates reached his wife.

Deva Rama Baraiya (55), a fisherman from Kotada village in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district, was arrested from the high seas by Pakistani maritime patrolling agencies and put in a Karachi jail on February 2, his family members said.

Pravin Dhansukh Chavda, a cellmate of Baraiya, had written a letter on April 22 to the latter's wife, Labhuben, informing her of her husband's death, Babubhai Somabhai, the sarpanch of Kotada village, said, adding that she received the letter today.

Chavda is Baraiya's brother's son-in-law and his family too lives in Kotada village, the sarpanch said.

Chavda's letter mentioned that Baraiya had died in the prison on March 4, he added.

PTI is in possession of a copy of the letter written by Chavda in Gujarati.

"Baraiya is survived by wife Kasturiben, who works as a maid, and six children. The family is poor and has been distraught since they got the news of Baraiya's death," the village head said.

Gujarat Fishermen Central Cooperative Association Limited president Veljibhai Masani confirmed Baraiya's death and requested External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to raise the matter with the Pakistani authorities.

He criticised the authorities of the neighbouring country for not informing their Indian counterparts about the fisherman's death in their captivity.

The Gujarat Fishermen Central Cooperative Association Limited is an apex body of fishermen cooperatives with the Gujarat government being its majority shareholder.