In 2013, Pakistan brutally killed Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh. This crime has a lasting impact on people's lives. Recently, after Amir Sarfaraz Tamba, one of the main suspects in the attack, shot himself in Lahore in 2024, Singh's daughter Swapandeep Kaur brought up the controversial topic of his death again. After Kaur's words, it's unclear what justice is and why there are still problems between India and Pakistan.
A Life Interrupted: Sarabjit Singh's Story
In 1990, Sarabjit Singh Attwal, who was born in Bhikhiwind, Punjab, India, was in a tough spot. His family says that he was a farmer who got drunk and accidentally went to Pakistan. However, Pakistani authorities say he was involved in the blasts that killed 14 people in Lahore and Faisalabad.
Despite India's claims of mistaken identity, a Pakistani court found Sarabjit guilty of terrorism and spying in 1991. The court said he should die. Sarabjit saw this as the start of a hard and long period of time. Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore placed him on death row twenty-two years later.
A Family's Fight for Justice
In order to get Sarabjit released, his sister, Dalbir Kaur, worked hard all the time. She kept pleading with the authorities for more than twenty years, pointing out that he was innocent and that his health was improving slowly. The authorities changed Sarabjit's death sentence to life in jail in 2012, which was a sign of hope. In spite of this, these good changes did not last long.
A Brutal End: The Attack on Sarabjit Singh
Sarabjit unfortunately died on April 26. One of the prisoners, Hafiz Saeed, who was responsible for establishing Lashkar-e-Taiba, severely beat Amir Sarfaraz Tamba with rocks and iron crosses. Following the tragedy, Sarabjit suffered severe head injuries and a fractured backbone, rendering him comatose.
For humanitarian reasons, India desperately urged Pakistan to free Sarabjit or allow him to receive medical care in India. Unfortunately, people ignored them. On May 1, 2013, six days after the attack, according to news reports, Sarabjit died in a hospital in Lahore.
Still Unanswered Pleas and Questions
People in India were very angry about Sarabjit's death. There were questions about the attack's circumstances, the lack of proper medical care, and the decision not to let him go home. In India, an autopsy showed that Sarabjit's vital organs were missing, which added to the controversy and made people even more worried about how the Pakistani government was handling the issue.
A Suspect's Demise: The Killing of Amir Sarfaraz Tamba
In 2018, a Pakistani court acquitted Tamba and another suspect, Mudassar, of all charges related to Sarabjit's death due to "lack of evidence." However, in 2024, unknown gunmen in Lahore shot and killed Tamba, changing the course of the story.
Daughter's Allegations and the Quest for Closure
Swapandeep Kaur, upon learning of Tamba's death, expressed a mix of emotions. While acknowledging a sense of initial satisfaction, she emphasised that this did not constitute true justice. Kaur believes Pakistan's government orchestrated Tamba's killing to eliminate a potential witness and cover up their role in her father's death. She called for a proper trial to understand the motive behind Sarabjit's attack and hold those responsible accountable.
The End:
Sarabjit Singh's death still hurts and angers his family, as well as many people in India. While Tamba's death provides some relief, the larger questions about Sarabjit's imprisonment, the attack, and the handling of his case remain unanswered. The fact that Swapandeep Kaur never gave up on her quest for justice shows how much the Pakistani government needs to be open and responsible.
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
(Inputs from agencies)
© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
(Inputs from agencies)
© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
