HYDERABAD: Are there any Telugus on the list of 22 mentally challenged Indian nationals stranded in Lahore Prison in Pakistan? Two prisoners on the list, Ramesh Muddur (21) and Raju (25), officials believe, could be from either Andhra Pradesh or Telangana.
They have been left in the lurch in Pakistani prisons even after serving a long and grueling sentence. However, there is no specific information on why they were jailed in Pakistan or about the crimes they allegedly committed.
As they are unable to communicate effectively anything about their native place or family details, Pakistani authorities, though willing to send them back, are helpless. Language is learnt to be another barrier for their ticket to freedom.
A few days ago, officials of the Passport and Foreign Services Wing, Cyberabad, received a list of 22 mentally ill Indian nationals lodged in the Lahore jail. The India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners, which visited Pakistani jails a few years ago, listed the Indian inmates who have lost mental balance. The list was forwarded to the the external affairs ministry, which circulated the list to all the states. “Even though the Lahore jail authorities are willing to release these 22 mentally ill Indians who finished their sentence, the officials could not inform their family members or the Indian government as the jail authorities do not have complete addresses of the inmates and other details,” said K Ravinder Reddy, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Passport and Foreign Services wing, Cyberabad.
According to him, Ramesh Muddur has a mole on the right side of the neck and Raju has a wound mark near his left ear. Raju remembers his father’s name as Santosh. “We received basic information along with blurred black and white photos of the inmates. As these names are common to Telugu states, we just suspect they might belong here. We cannot rule out their nativity to any other South Indian States,’’ Ravinder Reddy added.
The remaining names of the Indian inmates are -- Ajmeera, Balia, Birju Ram, unknown person (deaf and dumb,) Esma Maskan, Kishwa Bhagwan, Naqaya, Gullo Jan, wife of Nandraj (parents Chunnu and Gayatri), Muhammam Arif, Muhammad Qasim Milan, Panwasi Lal, Rajoo Raoy, Raju Mahuli, Roopi Pal, Sham Sunder Yadav, Solioraf Salim, Sonu Singh, Surender Mahto, unknown person and Rasse-ud-Din.
Far From Home
According to officials, Ramesh Muddur has a mole on the right side of the neck and Raju has a wound mark near his left ear. Raju remembers his father’s name as Santosh