CHANDIGARH: The Indian Parliament voted to extend direct rule on Punjab for another six months in an effort to end the Sikh militant campaign for an independent homeland in the state.
Central rule was imposed in May 1987 after New Delhi accused the opposition state government of failing to stem separatist violence.
Nearly 2,200 people have been killed in the campaign so far this year, against 1,230 in all of 1987.
Home (Interior) Minister Buta Singh told the upper house of parliament that New Delhi was reluctant to extend direct rule on: Punjab.
“We want parliamentary democracy to be established in the State,” he said!
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi promised during a visit to Punjab in September that village level elections would be held as soon as possible,
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Article extracted from this publication >> November 11, 1988
