IndiaPost.com - Kashmir Singh returns home after 35 years

ATTARI: Kashmir Singh touched Indian soil on March 4 after languishing in Pakistani prisons for about 35 years and had an emotional reunion with his family following a warm send off from across the border.

The67-year-old Singh, who was pardoned by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf after being convicted on espionage charges, reached the Indian side at 12:45 pm after a lingering farewell by Pakistan Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney and officials. Immediately after crossing over, white bearded and bald Singh was taken to a conference hall of the BSF where he met his family members including his 65-year-old wife Paramjit Kaur, who was camping in Amritsar since the last four days. As he arrived at the Wagah border, the former Punjab police constable said "I have no wishes left. I have got everything now.

I thank President Pervez Musharraf and Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney". Singh, who was only 32-years-old when he was arrested in Rawalpindi, said, "A new life has begun for me and I am grateful to the people of Pakistan and to the Pakistani government." Singh said he would want to go back to Pakistan, this time on a valid Indian passport, to lay a `chadar' at the shrine of Baba Farid. Struggling to control her emotions, Paramjit Kaur said it was the happiest moment of her life. "I am very happy today".

"I have been through bad times in bringing up my three children single-handedly. But I am looking forward to a new dawn," she added. Hoshiarpur BJP MP Avinash Rai Khanna was the first to meet Singh, who was dressed in a blue striped shirt and was carrying a small plastic bag containing his belongings.

A number of villagers from his native village Nangal Choran in Mahilpur block of Hoshiarpur district of Punjab were also present with Paramjit Kaur, her brother Tarlok Singh, physically challenged son Shishpal Singh and other family members and close friends, including his class fellow and neighbor G C Bhardwaj. Burney, who had traced Singh during a visit to Lahore's Central Jail as part of his work for prisoners' rights and jail reforms, was among the Pakistani delegation that accompanied him up to the border. Singh told reporters in Lahore before crossing over that it was "hope" which kept him alive during incarceration. Denying the charges of spying, Singh said, "Yes, I was accused of espionage and smuggling.

But I did not do anything of that sort and they found nothing on me when they arrested me". An emotional Singh, who spent the night at a five-star hotel in Lahore after stepping out of Kot Lakhpath jail yesterday, said: "Hope keeps us alive. If there is no hope, then it would be difficult to live." Singh was convicted of spying and sentenced to death by a military court in Lahore, but Burney said the government stayed his execution in the late 1970s. Burney said "we are very happy to be able to unite Singh with his family".

Before crossing over, Singh, who was garlanded, hugged members of the Pakistani delegation, especially Burney and his son. Indian officials at the border received him with garlands, bouquets and sweets were offered to him after he touched Indian soil. MORE There were not many people on the Pakistani side but a large media contingent had come there to cover the event that is being billed as a major step in fostering better relations between India and Pakistan. Pakistani TV channels were beaming the scenes from the Wagah border live.

The Pakistani delegation clapped as Singh finally began his walk to cross the gate at the Wagah border. Burney described the event as the planting of a tree of love, whose fruit could now be enjoyed by the people of both India and Pakistan. "It is for the first time that a freed prisoner traveled in an official car carrying the Pakistani flag," he said. He said while he was not laying any conditions, he hoped New Delhi would reciprocate with a similar gesture to Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.

Initially the media were kept at some distance near the entry gate number, but later on allowed to come near the Zero point from where Kashmir Singh walked into India. The Joint Check Post (JCP) at the Zero line here was decorated by the BSF to welcome Singh. Punjab's Public Relations Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia and Kashmir Singh's close friend G C Bhardwaj also met him at the border. After a brief meeting with his family, friends and others Singh was taken for a medical check up.