Rights activist Burney deported

Amritsar: In a development that could have serious repercussions on Sarabjit Singh’s safe return from Pakistan, human rights activist Ansar Burney was deported from New Delhi airport on late Friday night.
Burney is also an advisory member of United Nations Peace Council and had played a key role in the release of Indian national Kashmir Singh, who had languished in Pakistani prisons for 35 long years.
Burney was in India to participate in a meet against terrorism scheduled to be held at Jama Masjid. He had arrived here from London via Dubai. Talking to TOI from the airport, he said, "This is the most heartbreaking moment of my life. I can’t understand how the Indian government could deport a person who is relentlessly working for the good of Indian persons lodged in Pakistani jails."
He added he was not given any reason by the immigration officials, but was asked to return to Dubai. Burney, who had faced the wrath of his countrymen for helping Indians, had recently visited India on the invitation of Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal.
"I will continue my efforts in securing the release of Sarabjit Singh and other innocent persons, including Indians, lodged in Pakistani jails," he said.
31/05/08 Yudhvir Rana/Times of India

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Categories: Airports May 2008, Foreign May 2008