Wagah, March 22
Emotions ran high when 528 Indian fishermen and 36 youths, mostly Punjabis, crossed over to India here today. While the relatives of the youths were present, no relative of fishermen could arrive here to receive them.

The fishermen were upset as their boats impounded by Government of Pakistan. The Indian boats are normally used by Pakistan to trap Indian fishermen, who inadvertently walk into their trap due to mistaken identity of the boats. The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, and his Cabinet colleagues, apart from high officials of Government of Gujarat had arrived here to receive the Punjabi youths and fishermen.

Of the 36 Indian civil prisoners released 23 are from Punjab, 13 from J&K, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Daman & Diu and Gujarat.

The prisoners had been brought to Punjab from Sindh and Baluchistan and kept in Kot Lakhpat jail for clarification of their whereabouts and documents. Of the total 532 had been brought from Sindh jails and the rest from Baluchistan. Without caring for the security cover, Capt Amarinder Singh consoled the parents who were meeting their wards after undergoing a traumatic pain of separation. However, certain senior Congress MLAs were vying with each other to pose with the repatriated youths and give interview to electronic media.

Later, while addressing mediapersons Capt Amarinder Singh said he had taken up the matter with the Government of India to release 93 Pakistani youths lodged in various jails of Punjab, of which 62 had already completed their sentence. Of the 63 Indian civil prisoners 57 had been released and the remaining six persons would also be released soon. He also mentioned that the Pakistani Government would soon process the cases of another batch of 120 Indian civil prisoners for their release.

However, Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, president, Lok Bhalai Party, claimed that it was his party which initiated the process of securing the release of innocent prisoners lodged in Pakistani jails.