It’s a long wait for this family

On August 30, 2001, Major Nissar of the Pakistani Army handed over a body, believed to be Dass’, to the Indian Army. But the Army refused to receive the body as it did not match Dass’s description — while Dass’s height was 166 cm, the body measured 174 cm. The Army has declared Dass “presumed dead” and provided benefits due to his family.

‘‘We have got Rs 9.5 lakh from the Army but what will I do with the money when my son is not with us?’’ says Satya Devi, Dass’s mother. Dass’s elder brother Ravan Kumar, who is also in the Army, says: ‘‘I know my brother is alive. He is in a jail in Pakistan.’’ The family has written to the President, PM, Defence Ministry, and Pak President Pervez Musharraf, but is yet to receive a response.

Ravan Kumar managed to get the address of Radhey Shyam who is lodged in Central Jail Kot Lakhpat in Pakistan. Radhey Shyam wrote back saying he knew about a Gopal Dass in jail but he was from Amritsar.