Minority commission seeks pardon for the erstwhile terrorists

New Delhi, Nov 6 (UNI) The National Commission for Minorities has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to pardon all those who had left the country during operation Blue Star as they have realised their mistakes. They were misguided and had joined the terrorist outfits.

Mr Harcharan Singh Josh, member for the NCM who was on a Visit to UK last month met the erstwhile terrorist/extremist groups and observed that the youths who were involved in the Khalistan movement have realised their mistakes. They seek pardon from the Indian government so that they can return to their homeland, he said in a letter to the Prime Minister.

''migrants lost their balance of mind after the Blue Star operation and 1984 riots and joined the extemist groups and terrorist camps where they were exploited/used against Indian government through misinformation about the develepments in India.

''Now they have realised their folly and want to come back to India'' Mr Josh added, ''the Government of India had put their names in the black list and they are unable to get visa/passport.

''during the discussion with such groups in UK,it was desired by them that the government should review the cases of all those whose anecedents are good, not involved in any anti-national activities and granted pardon. They should be allowed to return to the country.'' About 10,000-12,000 such people are living in UK,USA,Canada,France,Germany and Italy. They cannot enter India as their passports have been impounded and blacklisted.

Some of them were just 18 or 20 years old when they fled the country in rage, some were in their mid 30s or 40s. They are living abroad without their families. Now after 25 years they have grown old and want to return to the homeland.

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