Sarabjit Singh relatives, friends, religious and social organizations, and the residents of his native village Bhikhiwind on Monday appealed the Indian Government to secure his early release.
Bhikhiwind (Punjab), Mar 17 : Sarabjit Singh' relatives, friends, religious and social organizations, and the residents of his native village Bhikhiwind on Monday appealed the Indian Government to secure his early release.
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 and is likely to be executed on April 1.
Sarabjit Singh's family is grief stricken after hearing the news of issuance of the death warrant.
The resident of the village converged in large number to express their solidarity and concern for Sarabjit.
Prayers were also held in temples and Gurdwara's for his release.
"My country should do every thing possible to save my husband who is innocent and not even Manjit Singh under whose name he is being hanged to death, " said Sarabjit's wife Sukhpreet Kaur, who led the march.
Sukhpreet said that there would be no harm if India release Pakistani prisoners languishing in Indian jails in return of Sarabjit.
Surinder Pal, a resident of the village said Sarabjit had already spend nearly 17 years in jail dying every minute and hanging him to death was not only cruel but a barbaric decision.
"If Pakistan had sentenced him to life term in 1990, he would have been home by now," said Pal.
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.
Earlier in the day Sarbjit's sister Dalbir Kaur met Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi to generate support for her brother's release.
Rahul is said to have assured Dalbir to take 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 pressed for clemency for Sarabjit, but has not made a formal request on his behalf.
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has rejected a mercy plea of Sarabjit close on the heels of the release of Kashmir Singh, another death row prisoner who was recently released by the neighbouring country.
Pakistan's Supreme Court had also rejected Sarabjit's mercy petition in March 2006.
ANI