HRW urges justice on 1984 anti-Sikh riots

Betwa Sharma
New York, Apr 26 (PTI) A US based human rights body
has called on Indian government to ensure that those
responsible for the killings of 32 Sikhs at Hondh-Chillar in
Haryana in 1984 are brought to justice.
"The discovery of more Sikh massacre victims after
nearly three decades shows the reluctance of successive Indian
governments, despite numerous commissions of inquiry, to get
to the truth and prosecute those responsible for the anti-Sikh
violence," Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human
Rights Watch said in a statement.
HRW noted that after the discovery in Hondh-Chillar in
Haryana, another site of 17 deaths was discovered in nearby
Pataudi.
Successive government-appointed commissions have
failed to ensure the proper prosecution of those responsible
for instigating the riots, she said.
"Announcing yet another judicial commission will be a
step forward only if the Indian government finally uses the
information provided and brings those responsible for mass
atrocities to justice," said Ganguly.
Sikhs have been waiting a long time for mass murderers
to be held accountable, and these new cases would be a good
place to start, she added.
HRW further said that Communal Violence (Prevention,
Control and Rehabilitation) Bill would be strengthened through
several recommendations including suspending the requirement
for prior government permission to arrest and broaden the
basis for prosecuting sexual violence against women during
communal mob attacks.
"The Haryana massacre is a reminder that India needs a
law that will provide maximum protection against orchestrated
attacks on minorities," Ganguly said.
"The government should listen to all suggestions that
could strengthen the communal violence bill so that these
outrages never happen again."