Punjab Assembly adopts resolution for return of POWs from Pak

Chandigarh, Mar 9 (UNI) The Punjab Vidhan Sabha today unanimously adopted a resolution to approach the Centre to take up the matter regarding release of 54 prisoners of the 1971 war who were still in Pakistani jails.

Moving the resolution, MLA Randeep Singh of the ruling Congress stated that it was a fact that 54 prisoners of the Indian Army of the 1971 war were still languishing in the Pakistani prisons for more than 32 years now and that the Centre should initiate fresh efforts for their release.

He said that one such prisoner sepoy Jagdish Lal, with his belt number 9208735 of the Mahar Regiment, was discovered as still alive and languishing in a jail across the border.

Speaking in favour of the resolution for its adoption in the house, Manpreet Singh Badal of the opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) laid stress for a fresh dialogue between the Centre and the Pakistan authorities of the release of these 54 POWs, most of whom belonged to Punjab.

He pointed out that India had released 52,000 POWs of the Pakistan Army shortly after the 1971 war ended and following the bloodshed in the creation of Bangladesh.

''Pakistan is claiming that there are 300 Pak Army personnel languishing in the Indian jails,'' Mr Badal said, adding that the Union government should soon initiate the process to bring back the 54 POWs through negotiations.

Deputy Chief Minister Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal also spoke in favour of the resolution which was then adopted unanimously.

UNI PS SY PC1826