WASHINGTON, DC: Siddhartha Shankar Ray, currently Ambassador of India in Washington, D.C. and a former Governor of the Indian state of Punjab, has been charged with gross violations and abuse of Human Rights in India, In a report released on Nov. 19 at Washington, D.C. by the International Human Rights Organization (THRO), Chandigarh, Mr.Ray is portrayed as a central figure in the concerted effort by the Punjab stale government to use any means necessary to suppress Sikh political activities.
The report documents the creation of draconian laws to alter the judicial process, the activities of police sponsored death squads, suppression of the press, killing of hundreds by the police in encounters, torture and rape of women, relatives of suspects and numerous police atrocities.
Dr.Rajwant Singh, while presenting the report at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. said this report seeks to bring attention to police atrocities and human rights violations committed in the Punjab during Ray’s tenure as Govemor between 1986 and 1989. Many repressive laws and policies enacted during the period in force today.” _
The report cites laws enacted specifically limiting rights of individuals in the Punjab and other laws that have been abused by authorities. In particular the 59th Amendment to the constitution of India and also the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA), The 59th Amendment enables the government to prevent news from the Punjab from reaching the rest of India. TADA enables the creation of special courts where the presumption of guilt is standards and the burden is upon the accused to prove his/her innocence, it allows the admission of confessions, even those extracted under duress and torture as evidence, it makes it possible for the prosecution to hide the identity of prosecution witnesses.
One of the most serious charges is setting up of undercover death squads, sponsored by the police to eliminate political activists. The report cites cause studies as well as quotations by a senior advisor to Ray implying the consent of state authorities to the use of these undercover killing squads.
The report concludes with a series of case studies, including those involving the illegal detention, rape and torture of women; police killing of suspects in fake encounters; disappearances; intimidation of the media and the populace. Dr.Singh observed, “This report only offers. Sampling of cases showing how human rights were and are still being abused in the Punjab. In real terms, hundreds of thousands of people have been affected.”
Article extracted from this publication >> December 3, 1993
