On U.N. Human Rights Day, December 10, the Punjab Human Rights Organization presented a memorandum to the UN Secretary General, President and Prime Minister and Amnesty International.

“Because of the unrelenting repression perpetrated on the Sikhs since Operation “Blue Star” over five years ago the people of Punjab India and many national level human organizations have combined to launch a peaceful protest to put an end to the most barbaric anti people policies of the Congress (I) government in any civilized country. There is no sin or crime that the so called security agencies have not committed on the innocent, peace loving and patriotic people.

“New hopes have risen since the taking over by the new government. We send our whole hearted congratulations to the new government led by Sh. V.P. Singh with the hope that a creative and positive era would start in the country and especially in relation to Sikh community.

“PHRO indicts the Congress government for the present state of affairs and demand that Extra judicial killings are stopped immediately.

Illegal arrests and torture must be forthwith put an end to.

Illegal arrests of women and their molestation in police custody must be stopped.

Persons arrested by the police must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours as required by law. Those now in illegal detention must be released forthwith.

Undercover operations such as Black Cats, including police and Para military personnel in plain clothes must be stopped.

List of wanted persons by the police must be published so that innocent persons are not killed and then dubbed as terrorists.

All unauthorized weapons with the police and Para military forces should be withdrawn so these are not planted on the victims in faked encounters.

Un-numbered vehicles used by the police and it’s undercover agents must not be allowed.

The drama being enacted in case of prisoners who are released or granted bail by the court after great harassment and expenditure they can ill-afford, are being rearrested on subsequently trumped up charges. This must stop.

Inhuman treatment being meted out to the under trial in judicial custody has become order of the day. Many under trials have died because of torture, lack of proper nourishment and medical aid. Jail regulations must be strictly observed.

Erring police officers and men responsible for killing of innocent persons, torture, and molestation of women, extortion and intimidation must be suspended and cases registered against them, after transferring them from the present assignment. This will also be in the long term interest of the state. Gobind Ram’s son may well be living today had timely action been taken against the former for scores of his criminal acts as SSP Faridkot and later at Batala. Champions of repression like former Governor of Punjab Mr. S.S. Ray, a former D.G.P Mr. J.F. Ribeiro D.G.P K-PS. Gill, D.I.G. Izhar Alam, S.S.P Gobind Ram etc. should be brought to the court of justice.

Draconian laws must be repealed and the paramilitary forces withdrawn as a matter of urgency not only because they are committing crimes but because they are sapping the economy of the State.

The organization appeals to the new Government

To institute special investigation cell to probe into the unjust and inhuman repression of the Sikh community by the State Machinery.

To institute special Vigilance Division in order to unearth and expose to the democratic public the huge sums of money, unaccountable Properties etc. built up by the extorters through a systematic network of the police, administration, police cats and Congress (I) agents.

To come forward with an open condemnation of the state terrorism perpetrated by Congress I government and raise a Special fund to rehabilitate the victims of this repression.

To revoke forth with the extension and promotions of the overtly loyal and corrupt bureaucrats of the Congress (I) agents. These bureaucrats and police bosses were used both for killings and for extortions of money from the Sikhs.”

This memorandum was issued by Justice Ajit Singh Bains, Chairman PHRO,

Article extracted from this publication >> January 5, 1990