The killing of Sarabjit Singh at the hands of fellow prisoners in the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore was undoubtedly murder most foul. Although the Pakistani authorities deserve to be appreciated for letting Sarabjit’s family visit him in hospital and sending his body to India, what is required from them is stern action against the perpetrators of the crime, including negligent jail officials.
The way some media houses are raking up the issue is unfortunate. There are hundreds of Sarabjits languishing in the prisons of Pakistan and India, many of them for committing trivial offences like crossing the border by mistake. Let Sarabjit’s death be converted into an opportunity to explore the possibility of swapping prisoners, at least in such cases which deserve mercy and compassion.
Syed Sultan Mohiddin,
Kadapa
The hope of Sarabjit’s family that he would come back home one day ended rather abruptly. Now that the government has offered monetary compensation to his family, it will forget the issue in some time and go into a dormant state.
Ravi Asnora,
New Delhi
The attack on Sarabjit was Pakistan’s way of retaliating to the execution of Ajmal Kasab and Afzal Guru. It can now pass off the killing as a result of a fight among prisoners. Let us not be surprised if nothing is done to bring the culprits to book.
C.M. Umanath,
Kozhikode
Sarabjit’s death has exposed the irresponsible and casual attitude of the Indian government. The manner in which the government handled the issue shows that it does not care for a common citizen. Had Sarabjit been a VIP or politician, the entire system would have come to his rescue. Pakistan, with its refusal to release Sarabjit on humanitarian grounds, failed to demonstrate goodwill.
Hari Mohan Sharma,
Delhi
While India has been concentrating on confidence-building measures, Pakistan has been engaged in confidence-breaking activities. Refusing to bring to book those responsible for the Mumbai attack and the intrusion and beheading of Indian soldiers on the LoC, and failing to protect Sarabjit Singh in one of its jails are only a few examples. Sarabjit’s case was allegedly one of mistaken identity. Pakistan’s judiciary never cleared the doubt. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has hailed Sarabjit as a ‘brave son of India’ after his death but in his lifetime, the government didn’t do enough to ask for a retrial.
M.C. Joshi,
Lucknow
