Home Ministry Asks States To Step Up Security Of Pakistani Prisoners In India

New Delhi, May 4, IRNA -- The Union Home Ministry has asked all the states to step up security of nearly 220 Pakistani prisoners lodged in their respective jails in the wake of the murderous attack on Sarabjit Singh in a Lahore prison. In an advisory issued immediately after the assault on Sarabjit, the Home Ministry asked the states to ensure proper security to the Pakistani prisoners expressing apprehension that they may be targeted as a reaction to the attack on Sarabjit. As per official figure, nearly 220 Pakistanis are lodged in various jails in the country, a significant number of whom have been arrested in cases relating to terrorism and drug peddling. ˈAll the states have been issued an advisory asking for stepped up security to Pakistani prisoners,ˈ pti quoted sources as saying. Meanwhile, 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. Sarabjitˈs case was the second in recent months after another prisoner Chamel Singh met the same fate and India hopes ˈit is the last caseˈ. However, India is at the moment not inclined to raise the issue at any international fora and wants to deal with it bilaterally. According to the figures of January this year, there are 215 fishermen and 55 other Indians in Pakistani jails./end