LOS ANGELES: On Oct.1, 94 Prominent members of the Southern California Sikh Community met with Honorable Congressman Rick Lehman and Mr. Leon Panetta, President Clinton’s Chief Of Staff. The meeting was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Grover McKcan, Both the leaders Were briefed about the continued human rights violation in Punjab. The denial and or confiscation of travel documents of Human Rights Activists and political leaders of opposition parties was also brought to their attention.
In the case of Justice (Retired) Ajit Singh Bains, Chairman Punjab Human Rights Organization, when he went to Delhi airport to travel abroad. He was insulted and mistreated at the airport and without any justifiable reason he was denied the opportunity to travel out of the country.
In another case, several years ago the Indian Government confiscated the passport and other travel documents of Mr. Simranjit Singh Mann, leader of Akali Dal (an Opposition political party). Since then Mr, Mann has repeatedly re- quested the release of his travel documents directly and through the courts.
In Spite of his repeated requests the Indian authorities are refusing to release his travel documents, the confiscation and denial to re- Tease his travel documents are Violations of his Civil Rights by the Indian Government.
‘The intended purposes of these illegal acts are to deprive him of any opportunity to travel outside the country and limit his ability to Present the Sikh case for freedom to the freedom loving Peoples of the Western World, Both Congressman Lehman and Mr. Panetta expressed their concerns about these and other human rights violations in Punjab.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 21, 1994
