WASHINGT ON: Rep. Vic Fazio of California has urged the State Department to monitor the current local village council elections in Punjab India. Ina letter addressed to the Secretary of State, Lawrence S Eagleburger. Rep. Vic Fazio said, “we strongly urge the Department to assess carefully whether: the elections are conducted without intimidation by the authorities or any other forces. Further he raised his concern to the Department that they should also make sure that the present elections “draw the participation of all mainstream political parties and all ethnic/religious groups.” In addition that “the votes are fairly counted and the winners are allowed to take up their offices without interference.” Rep. Vic Fazio, who wrote the letter apparently on the urging of the International Human Rights (THRO) said that “it is our hope and belief that fair and free elections will not only support the broadest possible participant of all of India’s citizens, but they will also serve to advance the return of democracy in Punjab, thereby alleviating the human rights problems in this troubled region.” THRO has been actively sacking other lawmakers in Washington D.C. to raise their concern about the present Panchayat elections because of the reports of intimidation of candidates by the ruling party m Punjab.
Dr.Rajwant Singh, president of IHRO North America said “even though this letter was delivered on the eve of the inauguration of incoming administration, it will convey the message to the incoming officials to pay close attention to the repression of the Sikh people in Punjab.
Dr.Gurcharan Singh, a member of Rep Fazio’s constituency also played a key role in this issue.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 22, 1993
