Former Indian spies demand rehabilitation package
Monday, May, 06 2013 - 17:44
By Jagtar Singh-
CHANDIGARH: With the decision of the Punjab government to honour Pakistani prison Sarabjit Singh after his death as national hero having triggered chain reaction, the former Indian spies who have been leading miserable lives and disowned by the government have demanded proper rehabilitation package.
Some of them narrated their woes at a press conference here today and said if Sarabjit Singh who, as per the claim of his family, crossed over to Pakistan in an inebriated state, could be bestowed with the honour of a national hero and the family awarded Rs. 1 crore along with other facilities to the family, why were they being neglected who had crossed over to Pakistan to serve the country as agents of various intelligence agencies. They identified the intelligence agencies they had worked with.They belonged to Ferozepur and Gursdaspur districts and have organized under the banner of Espionage Victims’ Association organized by Gaurav Bhaskar whose father had also spent years in Pakistani jails.
After his release, he wrote a book about his experience. Karamat Rahi from Gurdaspur said they had approached the agencies which had sent them to Pakistan, the central government and also tried to seek judicial intervention but all in vain and they continued to be ignored and disowned.At least two of them had been in Lahore jail along with Sarabjit. They refused to divulge the nature of service they had done for the country saying this could not be disclosed in the national interest.They demanded that every former spy or his family should be treated at par with Sarabjit and those who had been killed or died declared be ‘martyr'. A respectable rehabilitation package be announced for them.
A compensation of Rs.One Crore should be announced for those who had died and Rs. 5 lakh per year grant for others be awarded. Government job should be given to one of the dependent of the spy.The association also demanded reservation quota in educational institutions and government jobs on the lines of freedom fighters and ex-servicemen.
Sainik Welfare Board should be directed to cater to the needs of families of spies. Surviving spies or they should be wives be given pension. Further, diplomatic channels be explored to ensure release of all Indian spies languishing in various jails out of the country and ensure release of all those who have completed their sentence there. The association demanded that insurance policy for Rs.50 Lakh be introduced at the time of recruitment of spies. Other demands included formation of separate working board for spies to redress their grievances and demands.
source: http://www.punjabnewsline.com/news/Former-Indian-spies-demand-rehabilitation-package.html
