Amritsar: India has released 67 Pakistani prisoners. These prisoners were handed over to Pakistani authorities from Attari-Wagah border on Tuesday. The released prisoners include 53 fishermen and 14 civil prisoners, who were serving sentences in different jails away from their families for years.
Protocol officer Arun Mahal said that the released prisoners included 21 from Gujarat, 1 from Rajasthan, 39 from Porbandar, 1 each from Hyderabad and Ludhiana and 4 from Amritsar. After completing immigration and customs formalities, they were handed over to Pakistani Rangers. During the farewell, the happiness of returning home and the pain of years was clearly visible in the eyes of many prisoners.
He reached India after talking on Snapchat
The released prisoners narrated their ordeal. One prisoner said that he had crossed the border blinded by love. After chatting on Snap Chat, he reached India and when he was caught, he had to serve a four-year sentence. Another prisoner said that due to domestic dispute, he got separated from his family and crossed the border and went to India. After spending five years in jail, he is now returning to his country with the hope of meeting his family.
Two comrades died in jail
A fisherman named Mohammad Rizwan from Karachi told that when he was just 16 years old, he accidentally entered the Indian maritime border while fishing. There were 15 other companions with him, two of whom died in jail. Today he is returning after being released with his father, but many of his companions are still imprisoned in Indian jails. He appealed to the Indian government with folded hands – “My companions should also be given a chance to return home.”
Released in a tense atmosphere
This release has come at a time when relations between India and Pakistan have become tense after the recent killing of innocent people by terrorists in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite this, this humanitarian step of the Indian government gives a message of trust and sympathy between the two countries.
Prayers for the companions
On this occasion, many prisoners emotionally said, “We are returning home, but our hearts are still praying for our comrades.” This initiative of India is not only a government process, but it is a big step towards humanity, compassion and repairing relationships.