OTTAWA, Ont. Canda: Canada delivered a “protest note” to the Indian External Affairs Ministry in Delhi alleging “mistreatment” and possible “torture” of a Canadian Sikh detained in Amritsar.
Mr. George Riou, a Canadian External Affairs Ministry spokesman, told India Abroad News Service that Mr. Balkar Singh (40) a Canadian Sikh from Toronto area, claimed during a meeting with Canadian officials in Amritsar that he had been “tortured” by the police after his arrest.
Mr. Balkar Singh reportedly gave details of the torture but the Canadian official refused to reveal the details. “It is normal practice to lodge a protest whenever Canadian nationals are mistreated abroad”, Mr. Rion said. “We are waiting for a reply from the Indian government Mr. Gray Soroka, Canada’s Acting High Commissioner in Delhi is reported to have said, “The protest was to the effect that we had reason to believe he was mistreated and request that he should be provided with an immediate medical examination.” “We seldom come across a Canadian national being tortured any- where in the World”, Mr. Riou noted. “We have good relations with India and we hope to have a reply soon,” he said.
Several Canadian Sikh groups had contacted members of Parliament who in tum, had urged the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Joe Clark to send diplomats in New Delhi to visit Mr. Balkar Singh, Mr. Riou said. Whenever a Canadian citizen is arrested abroad, our diplomats visit the person ‘concerned and arrange for legal and other assistance, Mr. Riou said.
Mr. Balkar Singh, who was picked up by the Punjab Police on November 1, was accused by the Indian government of collecting $300,000 from Punjab business men and delivering the cash to freedom fighters.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 18, 1987
