Wearing a crisp white kurta-pajama, adorned with a black turban, Surjeet Singh reached the Wagha Border where his family received him on his return to home after 31 years of imprisonment in the Lahore Jail.
“I was a RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) agent. No one bothered about me after I got arrested. Don’t ask me too much,” Surjeet told the media after reaching Indian side of the border.
Held in Pakistan on spying charges in the early 1980s, Surjeet, 69, was released from Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail early Thursday and made the road journey to Wagah before entering his homeland.
The ecstatic family greeted Surjeet Singh with garlands and sweets. Talking to the media at Wagha Border, Surjeet Singh said that he didn’t face any problems during his captivity and was treated well. He said he hopes the Pakistan government releases other captive prisoners. “During my imprisonment I often remembered my family and children. Today I am very happy. I will go to the Golden Temple to pray,” he said.
Surjeet was garlanded and hugged by family members and fellow villagers from Phidde in Ferozepur district. Dozens of camera crews and mediapersons jostled with each other to capture the moment.
The crowds were so frenetic that Surjeet, who completed his life term in 2005, couldn’t even meet his wife Harbans Kaur. They were taken to Amritsar, where the family offered prayers at Harmandar Sahib, the holiest of Sikh shrines, in separate vehicles. “I am very happy to return after 30 years and meet my children and family,” he said.
“Indian prisoners are treated well in Pakistan jails. Sarabjit Singh is also doing well there. I met him recently though I couldn’t meet him today before leaving. He has sent no message,” Surjeet said.
His son Kulwinder, said that the family had given up hope of seeing him again, presuming him to be dead after he went missing near the border in Ferozepur sector in 1982.
“I was only two-three-years-old when he went missing. This is the biggest day of my life,” said Kulwinder.