LUDHIANA: International Human Rights Organization chairman D.S. Gill, in a letter to Nicholas Baker. parliamentary under secretary of state for home offices U.K has asked that he reconsider the proposed deportation to India of Kashmir Singh brother-in-law of militant leader, Paramjit Singh Panwar Gill’s Letter roads. At the outset, let me make it clear that two in the IHRO claim no special knowledge of the facts and circumstances of Singh’s entry into the UK, his rights and liabilities except for whatever has been spelt out in your above mentioned letter “However, I listen to join issue with you on the ground realities in India especially Punjab with reference in human rights. Even the assessment prepared by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, assuming it to be substantially correct, has no bearing on the gut issue affecting the fate of the detent with you “The restoration of normally has not changed a bee-bit the behavior of the Indian police in general and Punjab police in particular towards Sikh detainees. No changes have been introduced in the police training courses in the country exhorting teachers to impart training in civil methods No new instructions have been issued to the police to deal with Sikhs in human manner. Not a Single police official found guilty of Violation of human rights inspector Sikhs in general and Sikh detainees in particular has been convicted or seriously prosecuted, despite instructions from various authorities including courts
“It is true that courts in recent months have come down heavily on police highhandedness in numerous cases These interventions have made do significant impact on the police force at the grass-roots level but has only served to confirm, if any confirmation was required, of the prevalence of brutal ways of dealing with Sikhs, K.P.S. Gill who is the latest symbol of criminalization of the police force in Punjab has won yet another extension in service as head of the Police after his superannuation. Further, to pat him on his back for his behavior towards Sikhs, India’s Minister for Internal Security, Rajesh Pilot, publicly stated recently that K.P.S. Gill could continue as Director General of Punjab Police for life. Legal immunities granted to the police force through laws such as TADA remain undisturbed despite the fact that both the National Human Rights Commission of India and the Minority Commission of India have demanded its repeal.
“Under the given circumstances, the Sikhs being transferred to the custody of the Indian police face the certain danger of extreme cruelties, if not physical elimination. For instance, Kuldip Singh, a Sikh deposited from Germany last year, was tortured to death by the Indian police. Instances are too numerous to count to illustrate the state of affairs at the grassroots level Suffice it to say that all factions of the Akali Dal are one on the issue of police highhandedness against Sikhs in general and the Sikh destines in particular. All the groups have passed resolutions in recent weeks condemning the continued police repression in Punjab, notwithstanding the restoration of democratic processes,
“In light of the above, the THRO strongly feels that Singh’s case should be considered de novo from the angle of Human Rights situation prevailing at the grassroots love in India and not by deductions from the assessments of general improvement brought at out in the private violence.”
Article extracted from this publication >> February 3, 1995
