WASHINGTON: Palaniappan Chidambaram, the Commerce Minister of India, falsely claimed that Sikh leader Simranjit Singh Mann “is not in detention” during his appearance at the National Press Club here June 20, in front of reporters from the Associated Press and several Indian newspapers, among others.
In response to a question about the detention of dissidents under the lapsed “Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act” (TADA), which gave the regime sweeping powers to make summary arrests and hold individuals without charge or trial, Mr. Chidambaram denied that Mann is being held by the Indian regime, stating that Mann “participated with other leaders in trying to forge Akali unity.” Mann was arrested on January 5 after making a speech in which he called for a free Khalistan, the sovereign, independent country declared on October 7, 1987. He has been held in a windowless cell ever since. TADA lapsed on May 23 and the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that speaking out for Khalistan is not a crime, Yet Mr. Mann and about 70,000 other political prisoners continue to be held under this repressive Jaw, some for as long as. 10 years.
“have checked with my sources in Punjab, Khalistan,” said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, president of the Council of Khalistan, “Mr. Mann was still in jail, This is typical Indian disinformation designed to make Americans more comfortable about investing in this repressive tyranny.” he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 23, 1995
