E/CN.4/1995/91 page 47 Bombay Bomb Blasts 13. As far as the Bombay blasts of March 1993 are concerned, these were acts of externally sponsored terrorism aimed at destabilizing the country’s economy and creating a wedge between Hindus and Muslims. On 11 March 1993, a series of powerful bombs simultaneously exploded at various public places including the Stock Exchange, hotels, etc., killing over 250 persons and injuring 628 persons and destroying property worth about Rs. 270 million. Investigations have revealed the direct involvement of the Yakub Memon family and also the involvement of a neighbouring country in sponsoring, planning, providing training and material, including explosives, for the blasts. It is only incidental that the large number of persons arrested for involvement in these blasts were Muslims, as has been the case in some similar acts of terrorism, including the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York. It is incorrect to suggest that the search for those responsible for the bomb blasts was exclusively focused on the Muslim community. It may be mentioned that investigations in Bombay have also revealed the use and involvement of elements, a large number of whom are non-Muslims, who are also equally the subject of police attention and action, including arrests already made. It is therefore unfortunate that in the communication it has been indirectly suggested that the Muslims have been singled out for investigation in this case. Punjab 14. You have raised some concerns on the basis of reports received by you about religious intolerance in Punjab. In this context, let me at the outset mention that Sikhs in Punjab are the majority community and the reality is that in Punjab the Sikh community have always lived in harmony with the main minority community of Hindus. As indicated in my letter No. GEN/PMI/352/26/93 dated 17 December 1993, there has been no discrimination or ill treatment of the Sikhs in Punjab or any part of India. The problems that arose in Punjab were due to the religion-based terrorist elements, externally encouraged, who sought to widen the communal divide between the Sikhs and other communities for their political ends. In the course of time, as many Sikhs fell victims to the terrorist bullets and bombs as Hindus. This defeated the aim of the terrorists of communalizing the Punjab polity. The people of Punjab have rejected terrorist violence and have demonstrated their faith in the democratic process by electing representatives to the State and national legislatures in elections held during 1992. Peace has returned to Punjab. 15. With regard to Gurdev Singh Kaonke, the authorities concerned have investigated the allegations and have provided the following information. Gurdev Singh Kaonke, resident of Kaonke village in Punjab, was arrested, on charges inter alia of murder, on the basis of a case registered on 8 December 1992. He was questioned by the police and admitted his involvement in terrorist activities. He also disclosed that he had concealed two AK-47 assault rifles with ammunition near a Sikh temple at Karian. He led the police to the place of concealment where AK-47 ammunition was recovered. At that place, the police party was fired upon