Journalist Mr. Ambassador, Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala has conceded that the attack on the State Police Chief, Mr. Julio Ribeiro reflects a serious lapse in security arrangements.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: But he said that it was Mr. Ribeiro indiscreet and provocative language that had made him the target for attack. He was referring to the statement in which Ribeiro had threatened to kill four Sikhs for one policeman killed.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Don’t you think Barnala’s criticism of the security ‘arrangements reflect his own fear? Does it not show that he is haunted by his own guilt of betraying the Sikh masses as well as by his folly of sending troops into the Golden Temple?
‘Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Kashmiris have launched a struggle to demand fresh elections in the state (o thwart the plans of those who are hobnobbing with the Congress (I) for a coalition government. Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: Kashmiris are keen to establish a popular government at the earliest to prevent Governor Jag Mohan from completely destroying whatever little is left of the State autonomy. Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it India boasts of a democratic set up but reacts violently when minorities seek democratic rights and demand democratic processes in States like Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir ‘where Hindus are in minority?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Rajiv Gandhi escaped the assassination attempt simply because the assailant had absolutely no knowledge about weapons.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: With a better weapon and a little knowhow in using it, he could have blasted both the Prime Minister and the President.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Does it not prove that the innocent Sikhs are being driven to violence by Hindu fundamentalism and are not foreign trained “extremists”? Does it not also expose Indian government’s baseless Propaganda charging Pakistan with supplying sophisticated weapons to Sikhs?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 10, 1986
