Munir, the 13-year-old Pakistani boy detained by Indian security forces for straying across the border and released following Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's intervention, on Monday seemed relieved.
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"Janab Vajpayeesahib ka main shukrguzar hoon (I am thankful to Vajpayee)," he said.
"I am taking back mangoes and sweets and messages of goodwill from here. I think my people will like it," he told a small group of reporters.
The media overawed Munir. He appeared slightly apprehensive as reporters shot question after question at him.
Asked if was treated well during his month-long stay at a juvenile detention centre in Bikaner, Rajasthan, he replied in the affirmative. "Mere saath acchha sulook hua (I was treated well)."
The security around the lad was very tight and soon he was whisked into Roon 605 of the Rajasthan House.
A man emerged seconds later to announce that Munir had been talking all day, and so was tired and needed rest. He requested the journalists to leave.
When the journalists said they wanted to talk to him, the securitymen said a doctor would soon attend on him because he had complained of uneasiness.
The arrival of more reporters appeared to aggravate the situation. Room 605 was locked from the inside and no amount of knocking elicited any response.
