Rishra: Rajani Shaw, the spouse of BSF jawan Purnam Shaw who had unintentionally crossed the international border last week and has been under the detention of Pakistan Rangers since, became distraught on Tuesday evening when she learnt that the flag meeting between the forces scheduled on Wednesday had been cancelled. She had hoped that the meeting would lead to to her husband's release.
While there were such straying incidents in the past, soldiers were usually allowed to return after flag meetings between the two sides. However, heightened tensions between the countries after the Kashmir terror attack led to anxiety over the prolonged delay in Purnam's repatriation across the border.
The BSF had lodged a protest with Pakistan Rangers about its "non-committal" ap-proach on the jawan's whereabouts and the date of return.
The development has come as a blow to Rajani, who reached Kangra in Himachal Pradesh at 1.30 am on Tuesday following a road trip after she took a flight to Chandigarh on Monday, as well as to the rest of the family back in Rishra.
Rishra municipality chairman Bijoy Sagar Mishra faulted BSF for not displaying urgency and pro-activeness in getting Purnam back.