(Courtesy of: Anne Lowthian, Public Relations Manager, World Sikh Organization)
The death of Chief Minister Beant Singh and 15 others in the Punjab, India, has the world focusing attention on the Punjab once again ‘The WSO repeatedly condemns any violence against humanity, irrespective of who commits these crimes, be it individuals or the state/government forces, We offer our condolences to the families of the victims of this most heinous crime.
Though details of this incident are skeichy, historically, state terrorism has been equally responsible for mass murders and bombings. Authorities in Punjab and New Delhi must deal with such incidents with calm and with firmness, to ensure that more innocent civilians do not suffer. We encourage the government of India, and the state forces of the Punjab to employ democratic principles in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for such crimes, we hope that neither the persecution of innocent civilians, nor state terrorism will be sanctioned by Indian officials.
‘The Indian government has claimed that their inhumane policies and procedures used to quiet the Sikh population of the Punjab has brought peace” over the last decade, This incident makes it clear to the international community that it is imperative for the government of India, and the state ‘of Punjab, to find amicable resolutions to the continuing strife that serves to polarize those who govern, from those who are governed.
Article extracted from this publication >>September 8, 1995
