The Hindu : National : Sarabjit Singh’s family, Punjab government turn to Manmohan

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Monday, Mar 17, 2008
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Sarabjit Singh’s family, Punjab government turn to Manmohan

Amritsar/Chandigarh: Shocked by the news of a death warrant reportedly being served on Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, his family and the Punjab government on Sunday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to immediately take up the matter with the Pakistan government.

Sarabjit’s sister, Dalbir Kaur, rushed to New Delhi where she is scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

She also sought an audience with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, besides the Prime Minister.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s media advisor Harcharan Singh Bains said “the State government is working hard to get in touch with the Prime Minister so he can take up the issue with the Pakistani authorities, keeping in view the relations between the two neighbours.”

“Mistaken identity”

Dalbir Kaur told PTI: “I have only one brother and his name is Sarabjit Singh; not Manjit Singh. He is innocent and it is a case of mistaken identity.”

She appealed to the Pakistani authorities to make a humanitarian gesture and release him like the way they did in the case of Kashmir Singh.

Mr. Bains said the State government agreed with the family’s view that it was a case of mistaken identity.

“Even if Sarabjit is guilty, Pakistan must be magnanimous for the betterment of peace in the subcontinent,” he said.

Pall of gloom

A pall of gloom descended on Sarabjit’s Bhikiwind border village of Amritsar district with the womenfolk almost in a state of mourning.

“I will repeatedly say that my husband is innocent and he never committed the act alleged by Pakistani police. He is very humble and down to earth and could never snatch the life of any human being,” Sarabjit’s wife, Sukhpreet Kaur, told reporters.

Still optimistic

She said the family was still optimistic about his repatriation and urged President Pratibha Patil, Dr. Singh and the Union Home Minister to talk with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on the matter.

“The Pakistan government has repatriated Kashmir Singh and now it’s time for [the retired General] Musharraf to show kindness and extend clemency to my husband and Allah will bless them,” Ms. Sukhpreet said. — PTI

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