Several protests were witnessed here today over the death of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, who died in a Lahore hospital following a brutal assault in a Pakistani jail.
State BJP unit held a 'condolence meet' at party headquarters here to pray for the peace of the departed soul.
"The Centre has failed to initiate effective diplomatic steps to check the harassment of Indian prisoners in jails of Pakistan," BJP state chief Jugal Kishore Sharma said.
Over 150 activists of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) led by their senior vice-president Daljit Singh staged a protest outside the Press Club here.
Raising slogans against the neighbouring country, JKNPP activists set ablaze the effigy of Pakistan government.
JKNPP asked the Centre to ensure the safety of all Indian nationals languishing in Pakistani Jails, Singh said.
"Previously, Indian prisoner Chamel Singh had been killed in a similar manner," he said, adding that Indian prisoners were not safe in the jails of Pakistan.
Over 100 activists of Shiv Sena and Dogra Front took out a protest rally on the issue. The protesters covered their faces with black cloths and raised anti-Pakistan slogans.
A group of youths headed by social activist S Dabgotra held a protest at Bakshinagar area here.
The protesters demanded an a probe by an international organisation into the matter.
In Digian area, a group of people blocked the highway for a brief period.
Similar protests were witnessed in different areas of the winter capital including Janipur, Talab Tilloo and Sainik Colony.
"The protests were peaceful, no untoward incident was reported during the day," a police spokesman said.
Sarabjit died of cardiac arrest in a Pakistani hospital in the wee hours today after being comatose for nearly a week following a brutal assault by fellow inmates in a high-security jail.
