By Admin 
In the year 2023, heavy rains and floods wreaked havoc in many areas of Punjab. The water of Sutlej river spread into the lands on its banks and farmers’ crops were destroyed. The situation was similar in Kilche village of Firozpur district. In this flood, the lives of three brothers Joginder Singh, Gurmej Singh and Chhinder Singh completely changed. These three brothers were taking their tractor to a higher place so that it could be saved from the flood water, but suddenly the strong current of the Sutlej river came over them and swept them away. His family had no idea where these people were. After a few days, he received news from Pakistan that the three brothers had reached there.
Three youths from Punjab had reached Pakistan after being swept away in the flood.
Joginder Singh told that his farm was very close to the border. The tractor was stuck in water. When they went to take it out, they were swept away by the strong current of the river and reached Pakistan. There some people were holding us and asking us to sit and called the police. We were blindfolded and the police took us away. We were beaten up for the first four-five days, Joginder recalled.
He said that he had not come with the intention of going to Pakistan. When the police were convinced of this, the fighting was stopped. After this he was first sent to Kasur jail and then to Lahore jail. He was kept separate in jail and was not allowed to meet Indian prisoners. Joginder also told that it was only after about 15 months that he got permission to talk to his family once a week. At that time he came to know that his father had died.
family pain and troubles
Joginder’s wife Saroj Rani told that after 25 days, she came to know from news channels and reports that her husband had reached Pakistan after being swept away in the flood. Earlier he had lodged a missing report. He further told that Joginder works as a foreman on harvesting machines and the three brothers together cultivate eight acres of land. Due to the flood, a part of the field was washed away in the river and four acres of wheat crop was also drowned. Amidst this difficulty, his family was breaking down mentally and financially.
How did you return from Pakistan?
Gurmej Singh told that as soon as he reached Pakistan, the local people caught him and handed him over to the police. In the beginning there were beatings, but later we were given the same food as other prisoners, he said, adding that initially he had no hope of coming back. When the news of his return was received, I could not sleep for two days due to joy. Gurmej’s mother Manjeet Kaur said, we kept praying every day. Our life was incomplete without our son.
Government and legal process
Advocate Mehar Singh Mall said that people who accidentally reach Pakistan due to flood or other reasons, are investigated by the security agencies there and then the Border Security Force (BSF) of India is contacted. When it is proved that someone’s intention to go there was not intentional, then Pakistan sends them back to India. There is no fixed time for return. It completely depends on the investigation.
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