AMRITSAR/HOSHIARPUR: Mohammad Ateeq, the 13-year old Pakistan national who was arrested at Attari railway station on January 11 for travelling without valid documents and was since lodged at the juvenile home at Ram Colony Camp near here, was repatriated late Friday evening.
The boy was handed over to Pakistan authorities at Attari border after the daily Retreat ceremony.
A smiling Ateeq said, “It is a big day for me as I am going back home. I am eager to meet my family.” “I had entered India by mistake and I am thankful to all those who made efforts for my release,” he added. He made an appeal for the release of the other kids who had crossed over inadvertently.
Earlier in the day, an official of the Pakistan High Commission reached the juvenile home at around 3 p.m. with the required documents and escorted Ateeq away. Ateeq, who ran away from home after he was scolded by his father, had sneaked onto the Samjhauta Express and slept on board the train as it crossed into India.
He was booked under the Passport Act and Foreigners Act. World Human Rights Protection Council had filed a PIL in Punjab and Haryana High Court.
District Social Security Department officials said Ateeq was pleasantly surprised to hear about his release but regretted that he could not reach home in time for his annual exams.
