 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Eight Pakistanis, including two teenagers, were sent back home on Monday, via the Wagah-Attari joint check post. They were handed over to Pakistani authorities after being released from jails and remand homes in India.
"I don't have proper words to express my joy as I am going to join my parents in Lahore after a gap of three years," 16-year-old Farha Masih said, while struggling to hold back tears of joy.
A resident of Kotli Bore Khan in Pakistan's Narwala district, the girl had crossed the border following a quarrel with her mother in February 2003. She entered India from Gurdaspur district of Punjab where she was apprehended by Border Security Force personnel.
Thereafter, Farah was produced before the court and sent to the Children's Home during the trial. Ultimately, the case was put up before the Juvenile Board at Ludhiana.
Arun Vir Vashishta, Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Board ordered, on April 8 this year, that the girl be deported to her country as she had been 'already remained in custody for a time, which is more than sufficient sentence in the present case'.
It was also a happy day for 16-year-old Altaf, a resident of a Multan village, who was lodged in Faridkot juvenile home in India for the last three years.
Altaf was arrested after he strayed into Indian territory. It was only last week that he received information about his repatriation and the young boy could hardly believe his ears.
"I had almost lost all hope of seeing my parents again," said Altaf, who was among six Pakistani boys lodged in juvenile home in Faridkot.