Appendix A - Chronology Of Events

Early 1980's - Heightening tensions between Sikhs and Union Government; beginnings of Sikh militancy

1984 - Indian Army Action against the Golden Temple Complex; anti-Sikh pogroms following the assassination of Indira Gandhi; National Security Act amended to allow sweeping powers to curtail agitation in Punjab

1986 - Formal launching of guerrilla insurgency for independent Sikh state of Khalistan

1987 - "War without quarter" begun as President's Rule imposed in Punjab; Terrorism and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act passed

1988 - 59th Amendment to the Indian Constitution enables extension of President's Rule

Late 1980's, early 1990's - Increasing human rights violations in Punjab; escalation of conflict; rising death toll

1992 - Boycott of elections by rural Sikhs; Beant Singh administration elected with declared intention of eradicating Sikh militancy

1993 - 95 - Cremation grounds investigation led by Jaswant Singh Khalra reveals mass illegal cremations

1995 - Writ Petition to Punjab and Haryana High Court to inquire into cremations is dismissed; Chief Minister Beant Singh assassinated by militants; Jaswant Singh Khalra "disappeared;" Supreme Court orders investigation

1996 - National Human Rights Commission considers issues surrounding its inquiry into disappearances and cremations

1997 - National Human Rights Commission stalled in its efforts; Committee for Coordination on Disappearances in Punjab established to conduct independent inquiry; Peoples? Commission founded to evaluate findings

1997 - 98 - Attempts to interfere with work of Committee for Coordination on Disappearances; calls for impunity for human rights offenders

1998 - First meeting of Peoples' Commission challenged at High Court; National Human Rights Commission again instructed to pursue investigation; mobilization to support effort toward accountability internationally.