New Delhi, May 2 (IANS): Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde Thursday called on the family of Sarabjit Singh to offer condolences on the death of the Indian death row convict in a Lahore hospital and gave assurance that the government would try to get the body back "as soon as possible".
Speaking to the media after paying a visit to the family which is staying in Tilak Lane here, Shinde said he has met Sarabjit Singh's sister Dalbir Kaur and other family members.
He said: "It is really sad for the country that Sarabjit Singh is dead. I have offered condolences on behalf of the nation and we have given assurance that we are trying to get the body back as soon as possible."
Shinde, who was with the family for around half an hour, said the ministry of external affairs was "in regular touch" with the Indian High Commission and the last rites of Singh would be performed in accordance to the wishes of the family.
Asked if India would push for a probe into the April 26 brutal beating of Sarabjit in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail that led to grievous injuries and his hospitalisation, Shinde said: "We have been saying that Sarabjit Singh is not involved in any...militancy and he should be freed."
Sarabjit Singh died in Lahore's Jinnah Hospital early Thursday.
Truth about Sarabjit's death must come out: Modi
New Delhi, May 2 (IANS): The truth about Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh's death Thursday in Pakistan must come out, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said, adding: "Centre is unable to give a strong answer to Pakistan's inhuman acts".
"Both, the Government of India & Government of Pakistan have misled people on Sarabjit Singh issue. The truth on this issue must come out," tweeted Narendra Modi, hours after Sarabjit Singh died in a Lahore hospital where he was admitted April 26 after being brutally assaulted by fellow prisoners.
A minute earlier, Modi tweeted: "Sarabjit Singh's demise is very sad. May his soul rest in peace. May God give strength to his family to bear this loss."
He also tweeted: "Centre is unable to give a strong answer to Pakistan's inhuman acts. Beheading of our soldiers & now Sarabjit's death are 2 recent examples."
Pakistani soldiers had Jan 8 intruded into India in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, killed two Indian soldiers and beheaded one of them.
Sarabjit to get state-level funeral: Punjab government
Chandigarh, May 2 (IANS): The Punjab government Thursday announced that Sarabjit Singh, an Indian prisoner who died in a Lahore hospital after a brutal attack on him, would be given a state-level funeral after his body is handed over and brought back to India.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, in a statement, said that Sarabjit Singh would be given a state-level funeral after his body is brought here. He expressed anguish over the death of Sarabjit.
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also announced that both daughters of Sarabjit Singh would be given government jobs.
The chief minister urged the central government to raise the issue of Sarabjit's death at the international level.
Sarabjit, 49, had suffered critical head injuries after an unprovoked and sudden assault by five to six prisoners April 26 in the Kot Lakhpat jail.
Sarabjit, a resident of Bhikhiwind town in the border district of Tarn Taran, was on death row in Pakistan since 1990 after being convicted by Pakistani courts for bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan, which left 14 people dead.
Sarabjit's family claimed that he was innocent and was arrested when he crossed over to Pakistan in an inebriated state.
Police in Pakistan, however, claimed that Sarabjit Singh, known as Manjit Singh, was involved in terrorist strikes.
It's cold blooded murder: Sushma on Sarabjit's death
New Delhi, May 2 (IANS): "It is a cold blooded murder," said BJP leader Sushma Swaraj Thursday following the death of Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh in Pakistan.
"It is a cold blooded murder. This is not the way civilized nations behave. #Sarabjit Singh," tweeted Sushma Swaraj.
Sarabjit Singh died early Thursday in a Lahore hospital where he was admitted after being being savagely attacked in Kot Lakhpat jail April 26.
Sarabjit's death was preventable: Kiran Bedi
New Delhi, May 2 (IANS): Indian prisoner Sarabjit's death in Pakistan was preventable, said former top police officer Kiran Bedi Thursday.
"Sarabjit's death inside Pakistan prison was preventable.Need to find out if r Counsulate in Lahore was regularly visiting him?," tweeted Bedi after Sarabjit Singh died in a Lahore hospital where he was admitted following a savage assault on him by fellow prisoners April 26.
Bedi also tweeted: "Human Rights Council must b approached by us to investigate d fatal assault on Sarabjit Singh.Case of serious HRights violation."
Another tweet from her said: "Indian Consulate must answer*when did they last visit Sarabjit Singh*what did he tell them*if complained what did they do?"