AMRITSAR: The four member European Parliamentary team now in Punjab to verify human rights abuses has expressed shock at its findings. This is the first such team allowed into Punjab since Operation BlueStar in 1984. They were dismayed at the role of the security forces, the Punjab police particularly.

Accusing the state of violating human rights the delegation said that after analyzing the data collected during their one week stay in Punjab and studying the recorded statements of people affected by state repression, the team will be more in a position to talk authoritatively.

Reports will be submitted to the European Parliament, UK House of Commons the United Nations sub-committee on human rights and other human rights organizations of the world in two to three months. Before submitting the report the delegation will make a final visit to the state to check its findings. Led by Mr. Richard Palse, Member of European Parliament the team is made up of Mr. Max Maddon member of the British Parliament from Bradford, Mr. John Taylor of the British Institute of Human Rights and former director general of the European Parliaments human rights body and Mr. Vidya Anand, chairman Asian committee for Europe.

According to Mr. Palse none of the cases of violation of human rights that had been reported to them proved to be false. He told newsmen that the team had studied many cases before their visit and during their one-week stay they met a large number of people in Delhi, Chandigarh in Punjab villages and victims of the Delhi carnage of 1984. Their reaction was shock and dismay.

Vidya Anand said they met former President Zail Singh, former chief justice and riot victims. The main purpose of the visit according to him is to verify the authenticity of reports of human rights abuses in Punjab. He said it was too early to reveal the findings of the team but it was obvious that there was no response in helping the Delhi riot victims whose responsibility was pushed onto the gurdwaras.

The team also felt that assembly and civic elections be held in the state to restore democratic process.

The team met Punjab governor and the director general of police and appreciated the assurances N.K Mukharji the governor, gave them but were displeased with the lies of KPS Gill which they discovered when they met the people in Punjab.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 9, 1990