A US-based human rights body has called on the 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,” Ms Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

HRW noted that after the discovery at 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,” Ms Ganguly said.

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 the 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,” Ms Ganguly said.

“The Government should listen to all suggestions that could strengthen the Communal Violence Bill so that these outrages never happen again.”

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