In a dusty village of Surendranagar, they know nothing of the diplomatic meetings between India and Pakistan or if that could have any impact on their lives. But these six families have been running from pillar to post to attain Indian citizenship.

In fact, everyone in Sadla village seems to know of these “Pakistanis’’ — the six Hindu families of Koli community who came here in 1995 — but have not yet attained Indian citizenship.

“Ame gareeb chheeye. Amare koi mota kaam karva nagrik nathi banvun. Pan jo nagrik hasu to amne ration card malse. Ane jo e card hase to sasta ma anaj-khand malse. (We are very poor and do not want the citizenship to do something big. We just want to be citizens so that we can have ration card and get grains and sugar at cheaper rates),” said Vershi Jamal, one of them.

Facing harassment on the other side of the border, both by neighbours and authorities, these families crossed over to India in 1995.

“It all began years ago (before Partition) when my father had moved from Rapar in Gujarat to Badin district of Pakistan in search of employment and then made it their home. I was just 15 days old then,” said Vershi Jemal, now in his mid fifties, leading the lot of 24 people.

Vershi and 23 other have been living in small grass-huts on rocky wasteland of Sadla village on the side of the road and have been earning their livelihood as farm labourers. “After Partition, my father decided to move to India. But, while making a move towards India, one of his group members was attacked, so they had to stay back for some time. In the meantime, crossing the border was declared illegal and our families had to settle in the Badin district,” said Vershi.

... contd.