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After Sarabjit, India worried about safety of other prisoners

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
In the aftermath of the death of Sarabjit Singh, India is seriously concerned about the safety of other 270 odd nationals lodged in Pakistani prisons and wants that country to ensure adequate safety for them as per international norms.

Sarabjit's case was the second in recent months after another prisoner Chamel Singh met the same fate and India hopes "it is the last case".

However, India is at the moment not inclined to raise the issue at any international fora and wants to deal with it bilaterally.

"It is a norm worldwide that security of prisoners is the responsibility of the state authorities," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told reporters here in the wake of death of Sarabjit who had suffered serious injuries in an assault in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore last week.
 

According to the figures of January this year, there are 215 fishermen and 55 other Indians in Pakistani jails.

"We have raised the issue of safety and security of Indian prisoners," he said.

Prior to Sarabjit, another Indian citizen Chamel Singh died in mysterious circumstances in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail after allegedly being tortured.

Akbaruddin said India has been reiterating to Pakistan the need for dealing with Indian prisoners in a sympathetic and humane manner as it was convinced that he was not guilty of terrorism for which he was charged and convicted.

"If we were not convinced, we would not do it," he said while replying to questions.

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First Published: May 02 2013 | 6:55 PM IST

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