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Patel has sent senior state government officials to Punjab to receive the fishermen at the Wagah border. These fishermen were held by Pakistan Marine Security Agency over a period of time for allegedly trespassing international waters and entering Pakistani territory.
"This is a happy augury of historic importance which should go a long way to improve bilateral relation between the two countries," said Patel. She also extended her greetings to the freed fishermen.
The state government has arranged for special coach in train to bring the fishermen home. The train is scheduled to reach fishing town of Veraval on May 29.
According to state government, out of 151 fishermen being freed, 92 were from Junagadh, 10 from Valsad, five from Jamnagar, one from Navsari and the rest from Diu-Daman, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
According to state government officials, the families of the fishermen held in Pakistan are paid compensation of Rs 150 per day by the state government. About Rs 4.93 crore have been paid to such families of fishermen between 2004-05 and 2012-2013, an official statement added.
