The South Asian: Return of Indians from Pakistan Prisons

June 27, 2010

Return of Indians from Pakistan Prisons

Six Indians come back home from Pakistani prisons, having overstayed their sentences by several years, thanks to the political processes between India and Pakistan.

Dear friends,

There is good news after a very long time. Remember I had written to all of you on the 17th of April regarding the death of two, one Indian and one Nepali of a total of 14 prisoners who were on hunger strike in Kot Lakhpat Jail, demanding that they be sent home. Well, we just learnt that the six who were from Barmer and Jasialmer (Rajasthan, India) who had spent between 12 years and 20 years) in various prisons in Pakistan, crossed the border at 11 am today. This was confirmed by the Member of Parliament Harish Chaudhary from Barmer - Jaislamer constituency who was at the border then. He had worked very hard with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of India on this. He had personally spoken to the Minister which has played an important role in the Indian side accepting them.

For the six Koja Khan, Binja Ram, Miru Aaklu khan, Anwar Khan, Isra Ram Meghwal all from Barmer and Jamaluddin from Jaisalmer it will be a new life. They had all over stayed their sentences due to the politics between the two countries where human life is traded. However, I hope there will be no looking back for them now. I was also told Mr. Harish Chaudhary that the six will going straight home. Actually when I spoke to him the six were just sitting in taxis and leaving for home. It will take more than 18 hours to get to Jaislamer and Barmer. Due to the presence of Harish Bhai the six were able to clear the formalities soon. Otherwise we all know that it sometimes takes a month or two for the person to be back home.

Kudos to all friends in Pakistan and India who helped get these prisoners out. It gives us a new hope that the three others Bhag Singh, Tila Ram and Sahu Ram from Barmer, whose whereabouts in Pakistan are not known will also be located and get a chance to be back home.

Let us continue striving for the quick return of Indians and Pakistanis back to the comfort of their homes rather than be made to throw their lives away by simply languishing in the various jails across the two countries. I know that I have a list of more than 50 Pakistani Prisoners who are in various jails in India and we need to collectively get them out.

Thanks once again to all. Mr. Harish Chaudhary, Member of Parliament, can be contacted on +919414106999 who is still at the border just now as I am writing to you.

Kavita Srivastava ( General Secretary, PUCL, Rajasthan)

Posted by collective at June 27, 2010 07:14 PM

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