The Hindu : NHRC calls for communal harmony

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 26, 2002

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NHRC calls for communal harmony

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT. 25. The National Human Rights Commission today condemned the "outrageous" terrorist attack on the Akshardham temple in Gujarat and urged all sections of the society to maintain law and order.

At a meeting presided by the chairperson, Justice J.S. Verma, the commission said: "Such criminal acts are, in any circumstances, unjustifiable, whatever reasons may be invoked to justify them...

They are violative of every conceivable human right. The full force of law must be brought to bear in dealing with such acts of terrorism and in bringing to justice those who perpetrate or abet them".

The Commission appreciated the statements of leaders of political parties, as well as leaders of various communities, urging inter-communal harmony.

On its part, the commission appealed to all elements of civil society to cooperate fully with the authorities in their efforts to maintain law and order and to preserve and protect the human rights of the people of Gujarat and, indeed, of the country as a whole.

It said: "nothing should be done to divert the attention of the authorities from the fulfilment of their responsibilities in this respect, nor should any encouragement be given to any act or statement that could exacerbate the present situation".

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