Bhikhiwind, Punjab: Shopkeepers on Tuesday downed shutters while residents of this nondescript border village took out processions and held prayer meetings in the faint hope that the Pakistan Government would have mercy on Sarabjit Singh.
In a state of shock since the news of the black warrant made out for Sarabjit, his wife Sukhpreet Kaur and daughters Swapandeep and Poonam were further numbed by Pakistani caretaker Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney's refusal to take up the case.
Since Tuesday morning, they have been praying for a miracle and their hopes rest on the diplomatic initiatives of the Indian government in this regard.
The entire village united behind them, organising prayer meetings at gurdwaras and temples and 'langars' (community kitchens), with Sarabjit's small house in this village of Amritsar district receiving a continuous flow of visitors — people from surrounding areas and media teams.
Shops and businesses remained closed and villagers, who have been part of the 'Save Sarabjit' campaign took out a procession carrying placards like 'Sarabjit is innocent' and he should be sent home.
"We felt some relief when the media reported that the Central Government has started to exhaust diplomatic channels to save Sarabjit," Sukhpreet said.
She said she was still hopeful of the Pakistan Government extending clemency to him on "humanitarian grounds since he is innocent. A case was registered against Manjit Singh whereas my husband's name is Sarabjit Singh."
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