AMRITSAR: A nine member US Human Rights team led by Mr. Maurice D. Hinchey, US Congressman, recently visited this border district to study the situation.
The team visited DAV Police Public School, where the children of militant victims’ families are studying. The team also visited the Golden Temple to pay their obeisance, as also the Jalianwala Bagh. The team met various deputations, including the human rights wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal and supporters of the Akali leader, Mr. Simranjit Singh Mann.
The team also met a number of victims of militants and listened to their woes.
The General Secretary of the human rights wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr. Jaswant Singh Kahira, al Jeged that the state administration and the police had kept the visit of the US team a “secret.” Buvhe came to know: about the visit from the US Embassy in New Delhi. In his 4page memorandum submitted to the team, Khaira dwelt upon state terrorism.
The information officer of the Golden Temple, Amarjit Singh Grewal, apprised the visiting team about the alJeged discriminations against the minorities in this country since Independence in August, 1947.
Mr, Daljit Singh Sandhu, a supporter OF Mr. Simranjit Singh, thanked the US Congressmen for writing a letter to the Indian Prime Minister denouncing his detention in various cases under TADA on alleged flimsy grounds and seeking his release, He impressed upon the visit in, team to prevail upon the Indian government to accept all the genuine demands of Sikhs and to restore their constitutional and democratic right.
Article extracted from this publication >>September 8, 1995
