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Pak returns India prisoner Chamel Singh's body

March 14, 2013 13:25 IST

Almost two months after the death of Indian prisoner Chamel Singh in a jail, Pakistan returned his body to his family in Jammu and Kashmir.

The body of the deceased prisoner arrived in an ambulance to the local government hospital in Jammu on Wednesday.

Bereaved relatives and local leaders who were campaigning for the return of his mortal remains finally breathed a sigh of relief.

While thanking the governments of both countries for the gesture, Singh’s family demanded that strict action must be initiated against those responsible for the death of the Indian national.

"I want the government of India to demand strict action against the culprits in Pakistan. What my father went through other jailed Indian nationals can also face this. Action should be taken against those responsible, a committee should be formed," said Deepak Singh, son of late Chamel Singh.

Chamel Singh, 40, was thrashed to death by the wardens of the Pakistan prison, where he was serving a term for illegally crossing the border.

Chamel Singh was arrested on charges of espionage in 2008.

The deceased was sentenced to five years imprisonment by Pakistan court in August 2010. He died on January 15.

Pakistani lawyer Tehseen Khan had said that the jail authorities passed racist remarks against Indians, to which Chamel Singh objected.

Source: ANI