Rights activists seek probe in death of fisherman in Karachi jail

AMRITSAR: Death of an Indian prisoner in Karachi jail on Tuesday has triggered a debate among human rights activists about the safety of Indian prisoners lodged in various Pakistani jails and a demand to generate international pressure on the Pak government to provide adequate security to them. According to reports Indian fisherman identified as Kishore Bhagwan was found dead in Karachi's Landhi jail.

"This is yet another unexplained death of an Indian national in Pakistan. The cause and circumstances of Bhagwan's death must be investigated immediately," UK-based rights activist Jas Uppal told TOI over phone from London. She said that Pakistani authorities must be forced to account and confirm safeguards and procedures they had in place to ensure protection of the Indian prisoners. She suggested creating a pressure group to force Pakistan government to ensure safety of foreigner prisoners.

According to reports, the cause of Bhagwan's death was yet to be ascertained. Another Indian fisherman Bhikha Lakha Shiyali had also died in a Pakistani jail in December 2013. Jas questioned, "Why has the Red Cross been denying access to these prisoners and what has the Indian government done to ensure consular access and legal advice to these prisoners?"

In May 2013, Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh died after being attacked in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail by fellow inmates following which the Pakistani authorities ordered a judicial inquiry by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi of the Lahore high court.

While seeking probe into the death of Bhagwan, Pakistani rights activist Ansar Burney said, "It is unfortunate that an Indian prisoner who was in protection of Pakistani jail authorities died under mysterious circumstances." Burney said that Pak government should conduct a time-bound probe to ascertain cause of the prisoner's death and if some foul play was found, the guilty must be booked.