LUDHIANA: The International Human Rights Organization IHRO) has sent to its chapters ‘abroad four cases of disappearances for exerting diplomatic pressure on India :o stop this extremely grave violation of international human rights law even as Punjab chief minister is bragging that there is no violation of “Sikh human rights” by the law enforcing agencies in the State.”

The rights organization has also flayed the remarks of State chief minister on the reported statement by a friendly nation’s president regarding the human rights situation of the Sikh people in their homeland.

IHRO Chairman D.S.Gill General Secretary M.S.Grewal and Administration Secretary Gurbhajan Singh Gill in a statement here last week said Chief Minister Beant Singh should first gauge himself and his: security forces before refuting the views expressed by US President Bill Clinton

If the chief minister feels confident about his claim the IHRO activists asked whether he would be able to let them know the whereabouts of Gurbachan Singh Manochahal’s mother Gurmeet Kaur who has been in custody of the police since Sept.141992. Babbar Akali Dal leader Mohkam Singh’s wife Gurnam Kaur’s whereabouts remained elusive despite the fact that a writ for habeas corpus is pending in the Supreme Court they said.

The other three cases of enforced disappearances related to Joginder Singh Gurvinder Singh and Satbir Singh who were abducted by the police from their homes on Oct. 151992 September 18 & 21 last year respectively. These cases have also been sent to the newly appointed National Human Rights Commission.

While appreciating the views of President Clinton on the Sikh nights issue the THRO has advised Beant Singh and others to improve human rights situation and show tolerance instead of refuting Clinton’s views expressed by him in a letter to US Congressmen.

Meanwhile the non-party nights group in its meeting here last week decided to form an IHRO Sikh Coordination Committee which will establish liaison with other Sikh groups including Akali Dals and SGPC and document a Sikh case for peaceful resolution of the Punjab conflict

Article extracted from this publication >> February 4, 1994