Jaswant Singh Khalra, General Secretary for the Human Rights Wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal, disappeared on the morning of September 6, 1995. Eyewitness accounts of the abduction that note license plate numbers, have alleged the involvement of police officials from three different districts in Amritsar, These witnesses have sworn statements with the Supreme Court that police officers abducted. Mr. Khalra from his home noting the license plate of the van used in the abduction. Though the government denies any involvement in the crime, the van used belongs to the Tarn Taran Police Station. Indian officials at all levels have communicated with Canadian and American governments that they have “no knowledge” of Mr. Khara’s whereabouts, claiming that it was “unknown persons masquerading as police officials” who are responsible for the “alleged” abduction.
Today, sources in the Punjab (human rights NGOS) have indvated that Mr. Khalra has been moved from Amritsar police station to other stallions in Chandigarh, Jalhndar, and then back to Amritsar, over the last 12 days. K.P.S. Gill, notorious internationally for crimes against civilians in the Punjab (offering bounties to police officers for killing Sikhs) is known to be involved in Mr. Khalra’s disappearance. Still government officials deny any knowledge of Mr, Khalra’s whereabouts. Eyewitness reports that have substantiated the cases of thousands of individuals, who have disappeared of the Punjab, are still ignored by International media. Amnesty International exports continue to document these same methods of operation used by police officials to ensure the disappearance of thousands of civilians on an annual basis. Mr. Khalra remains in the grips of police officials known for torture, staged encounters, and extrajudicial executions.
When will India become a democracy where the rule of law prevails? ‘When will human rights activists and their families live without fear? When will these crimes be exposed to the world?
For more info, call: Anne Lowthian, Public Relations Manager, W.S.O. (613) 7232026.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 6, 1995
