Punjab CM Badal expresses solidarity with Pak detenu Sarabjit Singh

Chandigarh/ Patna, Mar 18 : Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal has expressed solidarity with Sarabjit Singh, the Indian detenu to be hanged at a Lahore Jail on April 1. "All political parties, full house and all the people of Punjab are worried and have appealed to the Prime Minister to contact Pakistani authorities for mercy," said Badal.

Meanwhile, people in Patna took out a protest march and offered prayers for Sarabjit's freedom.

According to media reports, the death warrant for Sarabjit was received by authorities at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore where he has been languishing for the last 17 years.

Sarabjit, who Pakistan claims is actually Manjit Singh, was sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in the bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan that killed 14 people in 1991.

Sarbjit's sister Dalbir Kaur also met Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi to seek support for her brother's release.

Rahul is said to have assured Dalbir that he would take up the matter with the concerned authorities.

It may be recalled that in an attempt to put a pressure on the governments of India and Pakistan, Dalbir had earlier threatened self-immolation.

The Indian Government has sought consular access and pressed for clemency for Sarabjit.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has rejected Sarabjit's mercy plea close on the heels of the release of Kashmir Singh, another death row prisoner who was recently released by Islamabad.

Pakistan's Supreme Court had also rejected Sarabjit's mercy petition in March 2006.

ANI