M.P. youth in Pakistan jail may return soon

The chances of bringing back Jitendra Arjunwar, currently lodged in a jail in Pakistan after he inadvertently strayed across the border, brightened with the Ministry of External Affairs telling its counterpart in Islamabad that he was an Indian citizen.

Arjunwar (22), a resident of Seoni in Madhya Pradesh, crossed the Indo-Pak. border after running away from home five years ago and was caught there on August 12, 2013, by the patrolling officers of Pakistan Rangers, officials said.

Documents sent

“The MEA has confirmed to its Pakistan counterpart that Arjunwar is an Indian citizen. We have sent documents related to his citizenship on Wednesday as demanded by the MEA and the Ministry of Home Affairs,” Tarun Nayak, Superintendent of Police, Seoni, told reporters on Friday.

“Once the citizenship is confirmed, Arjunwar would be released from jail in Pakistan,” the police officer added.

Kin confirm verification

Arjunwar’s brother Bharat, who works as a mechanic in Barghat town in Seoni district, confirmed that he and other family members were called to Barghat police station for the verification (panchanama) of documents.

He said that Arjunwar’s voter ID and ration card had been submitted as proof of his being Indian.

Bharat claimed that Arjunwar was lodged in Karachi’s Malir jail and was unable to walk properly and used crutches.