India Terms Attack On Pakistani Prisoner, Regrettable

New Delhi, May 5, IRNA -- Terming as ˈregrettableˈ the incident in which a Pakistani prisoner was injured in a Jammu jail during an altercation with another inmate, India today said the matter was being investigated and the guilty will be punished. The Ministry of External Affairs also said the injured was receiving the medical treatment and once the medical arrangements were in place, consular access will be provided. ˈWe are aware of the regrettable incident involving a Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay who was injured Friday during an altercation with another inmate of the jail in Jammu. The matter is being investigated and the guilty will be punished. Safety and security of prisoners in custody lies with the jail authorities and the necessary action is being taken. We are in touch with the Pakistan High Commission on the matter. The injured is receiving the medical treatment and once the medical arrangements are in place, the consular access will be provided,ˈ the official spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs said here today. He also said in view of these tragic incidents, which included killing of two Indian prisoners in a Pakistani jail and that involving a Pakistani prisoner in a jail in Jammu today, there is a need to take stock of the current measures in place to ensure safety, security and humane treatment of Indian and Pakistani prisoners in each otherˈs jails. ˈFor this, we are proposing a meeting of the concerned authorities of both countries to study the recommendations and identify and put in place further measures to avoid such tragic incidents in future,ˈ he said. He also noted that India had recently requested the joint Judicial Committee to visit jails in Pakistan. This was Committeeˈs sixth meeting and they have made some recommendations. There are nearly 535 Indian prisoners (including 483 fishermen) in Pakistani jails and a total of 270 Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails. Meanwhile, India has conveyed to the Pakistan High Commission that Sanaullah was receiving medical treatment and his condition was stable. During the meeting between the Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner and the MEA officials, the issue of security of Indian prisoners in Pakistan was also discussed. ˈWe underlined the need for Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of Indian prisoners in Pakistan. With regard to Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails, it was clarified that in view of the strong sentiments in India following the brutal killing of Sarabjit Singh in Pakistan, the government here had taken several steps to enhance security of Pakistan prisoners held in Indian jails,ˈ pti quoted the official sources as saying. ˈThe Jail Superintendent was immediately suspended, the Home Minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident and the investigation has begun, and after the inquiry is completed appropriate action will be taken,ˈ the MEA official told the Pakistani side. A resident of Sialkot in Pakistan, Sanuallah was immediately shifted from high-security Kot Balwal jail to Government Medical College hospital and later rushed to PGI Chandigarh in an air ambulance after doctors said his condition was critical. The incident involving Sanaullah comes a day after the death of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh after a murderous attack on him in a Lahore prison. 49-year-old Sarabjit had sustained severe injuries when at least six prisoners attacked him in a barrack at Kot Lakhpat Jail last week, hitting him on the head with bricks./end