CHANDIGAR India: In a statement released in Delhi Rajiv Gandhi strongly objected to the formation of three member cabinet committee that Punjab Chief Minister had constituted to report on the killing of 14 Sikh young men by the Border Security Force. He said that the formation of the committee was uncalled for. “There is no necessity for any enquiry” he said He threatened that if the State government insisted on going ahead with the work of enquiry then the Centre would be forced to take strong measures. “Action can also be taken under article 249 of the constitution” he said. The Parliament has already authorized the Central government in this respect.
After this forthright objection of the Prime Minister the three member committee comprising State Home Minister Mr. Kanwaljit Singh State Ministers Mr. Narinder Singh Kahlon and Mr. Natha Singh Dalam has developed cold feet.
According to reliable sources they were scheduled to submit their report four days earlier but now they appear in no hurry to submit it. It has been learnt that they would write their report after consulting the Chief Minister. Mr. Barnala is out of the State. Prime Ministers strong opposition to the committee has made them change their tune. They are reportedly justifying the B.S.F action and maintain that the Sikh young men were trying to enter India from Pakistan’s.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 19, 1986
