State Congress comes out in support of former Indian spies

Friday, 10/05/2013

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Chandigarh : The main Opposition party of Punjab Congress has come out in support of the former Indian spies, who had been leading a miserable life in the absence of any government help.

To apprise UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the pathetic condition of former spies and their families, a delegation of Espionage Victims’ Association (EVA) would be taken to call on them in New Delhi, Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar said after meeting the representatives of EVA here, on Thursday.

EVA convenor Gaurav Bhaskar informed the worst living conditions of various former spies and their families to Jakhar and demanded uniform policy to award due respect and rehabilitation package for them.

Opinder Nath and Paramjit Singh, the former Indian spies, revealed various tortures that they had suffered in various jails of Pakistan.

“Not only the agony at the hands of the Pakistani authorities made us upset but the alleged ignorant attitude of the successive and present state as well the Centre governments further deteriorated our condition,” the duo rued.

After giving a patient hearing to the delegation, Jakhar endorsed their concerns and assured to put concrete efforts to not only raise the issue with senior Congress leadership and Prime Minister, but also get it done on the humanitarian grounds.

EVA submitted a charter of demands to Jakhar for taking it up with the Union government.

Their main demands included every former spy or his family should be treated at par with Indian prisoner killed in Pakistan Sarabjit Singh and those who had been killed or died declared ‘martyr’ and respectable rehabilitation package with due respect in the national spectrum.

Rs 1 crore be given as compensation to those who had been killed and rest Rs 5 lakh per year be awarded to them, government job should be given to one of the dependent of the spy, who went on espionage mission to any nation, uniform policy in giving the honour present, past and future, reservation quota at the lines of freedom fighters, ex-servicemen or martyrs for them in educational institution and government jobs.

The Sainik Welfare Board has been assigned the job to cater to the needs of the families of the spies in case of their death, surviving spies or their wives be given pension of Rs 15,000 per month, diplomatic channels be explored to ensure safety of all Indian spies languishing in various jails out of nation and ensure release of all those who have completed their sentence there.

Insurance policy cover of Rs 50 lakh should also be given to the serving spies at the time of recruitment and formation of separate working board for spies to redress their grievances and demands.