Pak national wants to die in ancestral village

A 90-year-old Pakistani national has returned to his ancestral village in Bihar to live out his last days. Till the partition 60 years ago Haji Sheikh Manzoor lived in Bhairo-Khada village in Samastipur district.A postal department employee in Karachi, his family was torn apart in 1947. Even as he went across to Pakistan, his wife and children were left behind in this village.For the next few decades he nursed the hope of returning to India some day. That wish came true when he finally made contact with his family in 1972 and visits to his ancestral village in Bihar became regular thereafter.Then in July last year Manzoor's wife passed away - a week before he was scheduled to arrive.Now all he wants is to be allowed to spend his last days in the village that his ancestors called their homeland. ''I do not want to be compelled to go back to Pakistan under any circumstances. Now I'll stay here with my children where my ancestors have died I will stay with them,'' said Manzoor.Last wishAge has taken a toll on Manzoor. His sons are well aware of this and are willing to knock on any door to help their father spend his last days in peace. ''We were not able to serve our father lifelong. We've got an opportunity during his last days. The almighty has given this opportunity. Our government should consider this and give us this opportunity to take care of him,'' said Heyal Mohammad, Manzoor's son.''Whatever orders I get from the Home department. If his Visa period expires and no orders come then law will take its own course,'' said Surendra Lal Das, SP, Samastipur.Manzoor's visa has already been extended twice owing to his ill-health. His family has now applied for another extension of his visa.There's been no response from the government so far and all that Manzoor's family can do is pray for time.