California Assembly describes 1984 riots as 'genocide'

Washington: The California State Assembly has passed a resolution describing the 1984 riots as "genocide and recognised the responsibility of the Indian government in the alleged rape, torture and murder of thousands of Sikhs across India".

Co-authored by Sacramento area assembly members Jim Cooper, Kevin McCarty, Jim Gallagher and Ken Cooley, the Assembly Concurrent resolution states "government and law enforcement officials organised, participated in, and failed to intervene to prevent the killings."

Further, remarks on the floor of the assembly declared that the atrocities were a "genocide" since it "resulted in the intentional destruction of many Sikh families, communities, homes, and businesses," said a media release issued by the American Sikh Political Action Committee.

"Although we cannot change the horror of the events of 1984, as an assembly member representing families of genocide victims, I felt it was important that we tell the truth about those events and honour the thousands of victims. Sikhs around the world should know that, here in California, we will always stand against intolerance and will not forget the tragedy of 1984," said Cooper said.