Friday, August 26 2005 16:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: The Centre should step up diplomatic efforts with Pakistan for the release of Indian national Sarabjit Singh who should not be hanged, veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) Marxist (M) leader Jyoti Basu said today (Aug 26, 2005).

''The Government should step up the matter with Pakistan for his release. Sarabjit Singh should not be hanged,'' Basu told reporters when asked whether India should take it up at diplomatic level.

''Either he should be sent back to India or be given a life term,'' Basu said.