Spared by Pakistan for Saying I am Rahul Gandhi's Man, Claims Assam Fisherman Kept in Karachi Jail

Golaghat, January 18, 2020:

Simanta Saikia, a fisherman from Assam, who was recently released by Pakistan authorities, along with nineteen others, has claimed that the Pakistani authorities had let go of him every time he said that he was Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s man.

Saikia said, “The Pakistan authorities had asked us whether we were Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s men or Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s. I saw that whoever claimed to be associated with Modi was flogged, and whoever took the name of Gandhi was spared by the Pakistan authorities...”

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The fisherman also added that he also took the name of Rahul Gandhi to save himself from torture from authorities.

It may be mentioned that Simanta Saikia was among the nineteen fishermen who were arrested for entering into the Pakistan waters.

They were recently released from Landhi Jail in Karachi and sent to Lahore and handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah Border.

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Simanta made this claim about Modi and Gandhi in his hometown Golaghat when he was welcomed by his family and friends at Furkating station. He informed about the good behavior of the Pakistan Police during his term in the Landhi Jail.

Thanking the Andhra Pradesh government for providing him with financial support, Saikia said, “The Andhra government gave me Rs 2 lakh initially and Rs 4,000 on a monthly basis during my term in jail. They have also given me Rs 5 lakh after my release and paid for the flight and train tickets.”

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The Assam government’s role was minimal, said Saikia. It may be mentioned here that Saikia and nineteen others had spent the last fourteen months in Pakistan for crossing the Indian waters “by mistake”.

The fisherman from Assam returned home in Golaghat’s Merapani after fourteen months. “It feels good to be home during Bihu time,” he said, adding that his joy has doubled after seeing his fourteen-month old son for the first time.

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