Indian prisoner in Pak jails for 17 yrs
By News Agency of Kashmir,
Mendhar : The reunion of 60 year-old Shahb-ud-din with his family members after spending 17 ‘tortuous’ years in Pakistan prisons on ‘charges of spying’ has not just opened a fresh chapter in goodwill but also new hope for the hundreds of others marking time in the prisons of India and Pakistan.
On May 24, when the gates of the Attari-Wagah border check post parted and walked in Shahb-ud-din after spending 17 years in Pakistani jails, it opened up a new hoped for the hundreds of others who have been detained in the jails of the two countries. A total of 99 Indian prisoners were released by the Pakistan government on May 24 after the two countries had reached an agreement that allows consular access to any of their citizens being held in one another’s lands.
Shahb-ud-din, who had inadvertently crossed over Line of Control (LoC) near Mendhar in 1991, remained in the captivity of Pakistan soldiers for 17 years. After the return to his native village Ari in Tehsil Mendhar of district Poonch, teary-eyed Shahb-ud-din said “Meri Baachi To Mujhe Pehchan Hi Nahi Rahi Thi (My daughter was not recognizing me,” adding “She was just three-year-old when I had inadvertently crossed over the LoC and arrested by Pakistani rangers.”
Narrating his 17-year-long ‘miserable’ life in Pakistan jails to News Agency of Kashmir, Shahb-ud-din informed that he had faced wrath of Pakistani solders for about four years. “Pakistan rangers had shifted me to Rawalpindi jail immediately after my arrest. I had also spent several years in other jails of Lahore. The food being provided to me and prisoners was poor quality and there was no medicare facility for Indian prisoners languishing in Pakistan jails,” he disclosed.
“Though I had inadvertently crossed over the LoC, Pakistan rangers forced me to sign some papers in English language and later awarded 17 years rigorous imprisonment on ‘charges of spying’, he told NAK with tearful eyes. He further informed that during his imprisonment period, he was a tailor particularly stitching clothes of women.
Referring to Indian prisoners Sarbjeet Singh and Karpal Singh in Pakistan jails, Shahb-ud-din asked the Government of India to seriously take up this with Pakistan government for early release of these prisoners from Pakistan jails. “Release of prisoners from Indian and Pakistan jails would definitely restore trust between two countries and it would further strengthen the ongoing peace process between Indian and Pakistan,” maintained Shahb-ud-din.
He hoped that more steps would be taken by the India and Pakistan Governments to release prisoners from their jails who have been spending their lives in miserable conditions.