Indians and Pakistanis in jail fast

24 May 2011 07:18 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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(IANS)-Indians and Pakistanis are among a large number of inmates on hunger strike in Sri Lanka's main jail to seek early repatriation to their countries, an Indian prisoner has said.

Using a mobile telephone provided by a guard, the prisoner, who did not wish to be identified by name, said the protest fast began May 19 at the Wellikade prison in Colombo.

According to him, 27 Indian male and four female prisoners along with 21 Pakistanis have refused to take any food and are surviving only on water "for the past few days".

"Thousands of Sri Lankans are also on hunger strike for being jailed for unduly long durations but none of this is coming out in the media here," the prisoner told IANS.

"A few prisoners have been shifted to the hospital for not taking food," he added. "Some prisoners are not taking part in the protest due to health reasons."

There was no independent confirmation of the prisoner's claim. A section of Sri Lankan media has said the issues that led to the prison unrest have been resolved.

The Indian prisoner, who is in prison for a drug offence, contested this, and explained what the Indians and Pakistanis wanted.

"Some of us have been rotting away for years and years," he said. "I have been sentenced to life imprisonment and I have already spent 10 years. There is a law under which we can be sent to India to serve the remaining prison term.

"The authorities here are just not bothered. Indian diplomats too do not take up our case. We are really frustrated.

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Comments - 12

bandara Tuesday, 24 May 2011 10:04 AM

Human Rights!!, hand them to their diplomats to take care.

Knight Rider Tuesday, 24 May 2011 10:18 AM

since when did convicted prisoners of various crimes thought they had the right to protest for their freedom ? this is absurd !

nagu Tuesday, 24 May 2011 10:37 AM

Exactly....What they got they deserve it....

Lal Tuesday, 24 May 2011 11:03 AM

you are breaking law again, you did wrong you were convicted as per the law of the country so spend the jail term accrdingly. dont be funny

obama-laden Tuesday, 24 May 2011 12:17 PM

good,finnaly they united in Srilanka.

Prisoner Tuesday, 24 May 2011 01:02 PM

Sure some JVP members organise this strike.

henry kaldera Tuesday, 24 May 2011 02:13 PM

all comments seem lyk fm people who done nothin wron.

Riyazi-Dorking Tuesday, 24 May 2011 02:58 PM

Nice to see Indians and Pakistanis doing something together....!

hatedByOtherReaders Tuesday, 24 May 2011 07:33 AM

Let them fast. We really don't care.

andy Tuesday, 24 May 2011 08:12 AM

You are frustrated that you are in prison??? Don't break the law or engage in illegal activities if you don't want jail time. No use complaining now.

rosh Tuesday, 24 May 2011 08:44 AM

Yeah, give them the option of self - Capital Punishment. Low cost option

Aruna Tuesday, 24 May 2011 09:29 AM

why keep them in the first place. Should send them back now. it's only a overhead to the government

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Indians and Pakistanis in jail fast

Comments - 12

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