WAGAH (Indo-Pak border), Aug 16 — Love knows no barriers. A couple who had fled from Pakistan as their marriage was being opposed by their parents landed itself in an Indian jail.

The reunion of the couple was possible when India and Pakistan exchanged prisoners at the Wagah joint checkpost. The couple which spent three years in different jails were determined to get married after reaching Pakistan. The couple — Afzal Ali and Mustana — had crossed over to India with the hope of getting married. However, their love for each other drove them to jail.

They were among eight prisoners repatriated to Pakistan from the joint checkpost. However, the Pakistan authorities refused to accept seven more prisoners as they could not conduct proper identification. On the other hand only three Indian prisoners languishing in Pakistani jails were repatriated.

Last year, the Indian Government had repatriated 43 prisoners while Pakistan had released only 16 prisoners. Sources said an equal number of prisoners should be released by both countries. Today Pakistan released only three in lieu of eight prisoners.

The prisoners released by Pakistan said the third degree torture in Pakistani jails left behind mental scars on Indian prisoners. Many Indian prisoners could not be repatriated to India as they could not be identified due to their mental problems. They urged the Indian authorities to approach Amnesty International for securing their release.

Among those who were repatriated to Pakistan include Mohammad Sayad, Jafar Abas, Mohammad Riaz, Mohammad Iqbal, Imran Bahadur and Mohammad Mukhtiar. The names of three Indians repatriated by Pakistan are Ram Bilas, a resident of Bihar, Manzur Husain from Jammu and Bansi Lal, a resident of Dhariwal in Gurdaspur district.

Narrating the pathetic condition of Indian prisoners in Pakistani jails, Hussain said the jail authorities did not bother to give medicines to them. Many chronic patients had already died in Pakistani jails due to non-availability of medicines. The barracks of Pakistani jails were congested and prisoners could not breathe properly there, he said. Many Indians who are languishing in Pakistani jails must be released immediately otherwise they could die anytime, he said.

Ram Bilas, a resident of Bihar, who was repatriated to India said he landed himself in a Pakistani jail as he was travelling in “Samjhauta Express" without a valid passport.