The Hindu : Front Page : Secure Sarabjit’s release, urge MPs

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Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008
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Front Page

Secure Sarabjit’s release, urge MPs

Special Correspondent

Sentiments of government and members
are the same: Dasmunsi
Sarabjit’s sister submits clemency petition
at Pakistan High Commission

NEW DELHI : Even as India appealed to Pakistan for clemency to Sarabjit Singh, members in the Lok Sabha, cutting across political ideologies, asked the government to use its diplomatic channels to secure the release of the prisoner, hailing from Punjab.

The House fell short of passing a resolution to this effect on Tuesday following an intervention by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi.

He said a resolution by Parliament against a judgment passed in a foreign country was unheard of. He, however, said the government’s sentiments were no different from that of the members and the sense of the House would be conveyed to the Prime Minister, at whose level the matter was being taken up.

Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa of the Shiromani Akali Dal said hanging of Sarabjit would vitiate the atmosphere between the two countries, while calling upon the government to take the matter seriously and ensure that he was saved.

“Mistaken identity”

Describing it as a case of mistaken identity, Vijay Kumar Malhotra (BJP) said the government should ensure that an innocent person was not hanged.

He pointed out that a case was registered in the name of Manjit Singh, while Sarabjit Singh would be hanged on charges of causing serial bomb blasts in Lahore.

Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) suggested that the government talk to the newly elected members of the Pakistan’s National Assembly and ask them to put pressure on President Pervez Musharraf to release Sarabjit as a gesture of goodwill. India and Pakistan should live in peace and not confrontation, he said.

Ramji Lal Suman (Samajwadi Party) Devendra Prasad Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and Rup Chand Pal (Communist Party of India-Marxist) shared the same view.

Meanwhile, Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur submitted a petition at the Pakistan High Commission here urging President Musharraf to pardon her brother.

“I appeal to Musharraf sahib to reconsider his decision of rejecting Sarabjit’s clemency petition,” she said outside the High Commission office.

“I have requested Musharraf sahib to show some leniency towards my brother and allow us to meet him.” she said. “Sarabjit’s daughters are very much disturbed with the news of death warrant against their father.”

Officials at the High Commission assured her that they would convey her request letter to the President.

Meeting with leaders

Ms. Kaur met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani. She has also sought an appointment with the Prime Minister.

The issue also came up at the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting, where Mr. Advani said some relatives of Sarabjit had met him.

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