Kin of 2 Punjab men held by Pak Rangers reject drug trafficking charge
Family of two men claimed that Indian officials refused to take the duo back when the Pakistani Rangers handed them over
2 min read
Family of Ratanpal Singh who was held by Pakistan Rangers. (Express photo) The families of two of six Punjab men arrested in Pakistan for allegedly smuggling drugs and arms have vehemently denied the charges. They claimed that Indian officials refused to take the duo back when the Pakistani Rangers handed them over.
Mukhtiyar Singh from Sherewal village in Ludhiana said his son Harvinder Singh and Ratanpal Singh from Khaira Fauja Singh village in Jalandhar left for Ferozepur on July 27 after Ratanpal’s sister, who is also Mukhtiyar’s cousin, called them for help as floods had hit their village.
“However, on July 28, we were informed by the police that both were arrested by the Pakistani Rangers. The sarpanch of Gazni Wala village in Ferozepur called to inform us about the arrest and asked us to provide their documents,” said Mukhtiyar, adding that the duo’s Aadhaar cards and other documents were sent immediately.
Mukhtiyar said his son was married with two sons and that all the allegations against him were baseless. The family owns 3.5 acres of agricultural land. According to him, Harvinder has passed Class 10, engaged in farming and worked as a part-time driver also.
Ratanpal Singh’s wife, Surjit Kaur, told The Indian Express that her husband left home on July 27. On July 28, his family received information from the police that he had been arrested in Pakistan, she added.
Both families are worried. Ratanpal’s uncle Kartar Singh appealed to both the central and state governments for help to bring him back home.
Surjit Kaur, who has been married to Ratanpal for 13 years, said her husband did not engage in any illegal activities and that he was a labourer and the sole breadwinner of their family. She also said she did not know whom to ask for help.
Ratanpal’s father Mahinder Singh also denied the allegations.
Station House Officer Jatinder Kumar told The Indian Express that the Mehatpur police in Jalandhar had visited Ratanpal’s family to gather details about the two men.
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