PUCL Bulletin,
January 2003
Press
Statement
The People's Union for Civil Liberties condemns the recent spate of
terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir. The gruesome murder of women
and children, specially beheading of women, is most reprehensible. The
PUCL expects the state governments and the Central Security forces to
detect and putdown such acts before they are perpetrated. At the same
time, the PUCL appreciates the steps of the state government to ease tension
amongst the civilians. It appeals to the people of Jammu & Kashmir
to maintain clam and peace. - Y.P. Chhibbar, 23rd November 2002 "
Press
Statement
Shri Balraj Puri, Convenor PUCL J&K State, urged the central and
state governments and all their agencies to gracefully accept their share
of responsibility in their failure to anticipate and prevent terrorist
attacks on Raghunath and Panjbhaktar temples in Jammu. By blaming
one another, he said, they were only adding insult to the injury of the
people. The only redeeming feature in the situation, according to Mr.
Puri, was the role of the people of Jammu who despite gravest provocations
maintained harmony among all communities.
Press
Release
Minority Council of India has strongly condemned the periodic barbaric
terrorist acts in Jammu, including attacks on temples.
In a message to Mr. Balraj Puri, Prof. Iqbal Ansari, Secretary General
of the Council, said "The chain of incidents of killings of innocent
Hindu civilians, including women, children, and old persons is simply
a criminal act and deserves serious attention of all sensitive citizens,
especially of Muslims of Jammu and the rest of India.
He urged the political and social workers and intellectuals among the
Muslims of Jammu to take an initiative in organising resistance against
such inhuman violence in the name of religion.
Prof. Ansari is planning to organise a visit of prominent Muslim leaders
of India to Jammu to lend their support to such a resistance movement
for prevention of cruelty to the Hindus of Jammu.