Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking immediate diplomatic intervention to secure the release of a young farmer from Punjab who inadvertently crossed into Pakistani territory on 21 June.
Amritpal Singh, 23, a resident of Khaire ke Uttar village in Ferozepur district, went missing after he failed to return from tending his farmland, which lies across the border fence but within Indian territory.
The area is accessible to farmers during daylight hours under Border Security Force (BSF) supervision. According to his family, Amritpal was last seen going to the fields near Border Outpost Rana on his motorbike but did not return before the gate closure at 5 pm.
The BSF held three to four flag meetings with Pakistani Rangers in the days following his disappearance. While the Rangers initially denied having any information, they later confirmed on 27 June that Amritpal was in the custody of local police in Pakistan.
In a post on social media platform X, Harsimrat said she had requested the external affairs minister to initiate diplomatic talks with Pakistan to ensure Amritpal's safe and swift return to India.
"I have apprised the external affairs minister that this incident occurred because Amritpal was suffering from mental stress and emotional disturbance," Harsimrat stated.
She further urged the ministry to provide both consular and legal access to Amritpal and his family during what she described as a "difficult and distressing time."
In her letter, Harsimrat detailed that Amritpal had been mentally unwell at the time and unintentionally crossed the international border while ploughing his fields.
She noted that while the land lies within Indian territory, it extends beyond the barbed-wire fence, which can often confuse local farmers.
"Due to his psychological condition, he accidentally crossed the border and entered Pakistani territory. He is reportedly being held in jail under the custody of Punjab Police in Pakistan," she wrote, calling for compassionate handling of the case.
Amritpal’s father, Jugraj Singh, also appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday, urging it to intervene and ensure his son’s return.
The family highlighted that Amritpal is married and has a three-month-old daughter. He owns approximately 8.5 acres of farmland situated beyond the fence but within Indian territory.
According to Jugraj Singh, the BSF reopened the frisking gate after sunset on 21 June in an attempt to locate Amritpal but found no trace.
Farmers in the region are typically permitted to access land between the barbed fence and the international border between 8 am and 5 pm during the summer months, under strict BSF oversight.
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