LUDHIANA: The Punjab Human Rights Organisation has asked the Prime Minister on the eve of his visit to Punjab to announce the political initiative to solve the ticklish Punjab problem. The Punjab issue has been complicated with the president violations of human rights by Central and state governments. The restoration of democratic norms in letter and spirit would contribute a great deal in easing the tense situation in Punjab. PHRO has recommended withdrawal of defamation bill revocation of Black Laws including 59th Amendment in the constitution, The Organisation demanded that the detained persons be tried in the courts of law in accordance with the spirit of the law of the land or they should be set free.
The Organization also supported demands including handing over of Chandigarh to Punjab, merger of Punjabi speaking areas in Punjab, release of detainees, punishing of persons responsible for Delhi riots and dismantling of Jamma link canal.
The acceptance of these demands the PHRO feels, should be announce unilaterally before starting a process of negotiations.
Meanwhile Mohinder Singh Jawanda president D.S. Gill General Secretary of PHRO said in a joint statement that Punjab needed a political solution to Punjab problem rather than economic doles as being announced by government at present. They told the Prime Minister that Bull dozing policy of the government will never solve this problem.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 30, 1988
