Source: Press Release
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, May 12, 2002: A group of thirty-five non-resident Indians from all parts of the United States met for three days from Friday, May 10, to Sunday, May 12, to discuss the massacre of thousands of people in Gujarat and how to restore peace and end to killings in their motherland. The meeting was attended by delegates from California, Michigan, Washington D C, Boston, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. A highlight of the meeting was a presentation of first hand testimony with slides of Gulbarg society of Ahmedabad, where 160 innocent men, women and children were burnt alive by a Hindu mob. The group condemned the killing of all innocent people in the Godhra train burning incident as well as the massive attack on Muslim population and property in Ahmedabad, Baroda and elsewhere in the state. They have vowed to work for restoration of communal harmony, reconciliation between Hindus and Muslims and members of all faiths and not rest until the guilty are brought to justice and secular values are restored in the country. They have announced the goal of raising US$1 million to provide relief and rehabilitation assistance to the over 100,000 survivors herded in over 100 refugee camps in cities and villages of over 20 districts in Gujarat. A national steering committee will coordinate the activities of five separate working committees for fundraising, media, community outreach, research and long-term planning committee from New York and Washington D C. For further information, contact: Najrna Sultana, East Lansing, Michigan 48826-0707 USA. Phone: 212-319-3233.