* Over 100 delegates walked out of the inaugural function of the National Conference on Women’s Studies at Chandigarh against the presence of the Punjab Governor, Mr. SS. Ray who was the Chief guest. The protestors objected to his role in the emergency and suppression of people’s struggle in West Bengal, A lecturer from Calcutta University said women prisoners were raped by policemen during Mr, Ray’s tenure as Chief Minister. “How can we allow him to inaugurate a women’s conference”, she said angrily. Mr. Ray had also suppressed. various peasants’ movements and ruthlessly exterminated young boys with Naxalite background and had set up a special cell under Mr. Mazumdar for this job, she said,

* There is 35 percent hike in Punjab bus fares. The bus fares would up by for a 809 paisa per km to 10.87 paise. There would according to new transport policy, be a bigger role for private operation in passenger transportation, * A senior official in the External Affairs Ministry has challenged the government’s order imposing a blanket ban on Indian Foreign Service officers from marrying foreign nationals.

* The Pakistan minister of Foreign Affairs told Parliament that Pakistan has never trained Sikhs or other terrorists and has no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of any country, including India.

* The assailants of Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi and Chief of Punjab Police, J.P. Ribeiro were praised by leaders of the Akali Dal (B) at Kham anon 40 km from Ludhiana,

* The inclusion of Udasis, Kabir Panthi, Dadu Panthi and Nirmal sects in the All India Sikh Gurdwara draft bill has strongly been ‘opposed by the Sadha Sananthan Samiti, These sects were part of the Hindu religion, said Mahant Amritahand,

* Touring the countryside for the last two months, Baba Joginder Singh of the United Akali Dal reached one message “The Centre is a fox out to destroy the Sikhs. Barnala and Ribeiro are tools to do the job. Let all Sikh unite and fight against the enemies of the Panth”. * Punjab is too serious a problem to be a plaything of partisan politicians. Double standard is the last thing it can brook. What is source for the Gorkha goose ought to be sauce for the Sikh gander”, writes V.N. Narayanan, Editor of the Tribune, He continues, “There is still time and scope to move forward. Ignore Chandigarh but do Rot ignore the Jodhpur detainees and deserters rehabilitation. Ignore Fazilka and Abohar but not the S.Y.L, Canal, Above all stop expecting harmony and strengthen coexistence”.

* Singing “vaars” the Dhadi Jathas in Punjab march, painted Police Chief of five Punjab districts as ‘“Jallads”.

* As many as 25 television units had virtually closed down in Punjab as people preferred to purchase TL. sets from Himachal as there was no sales tax on these items there,

* Thailand15,000 strong Sikh community boycotted Mr. Rajiv Gandhi’s visit in “silent protest” against the Indian government.

* In last 15 months over 700 officers of the Director Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Central Customs and Excise Department have raked 2 crores over and above their pay for nabbing economic offenders for smuggling of contraband gold, textiles, electronics, hashish, and heroin worth over 300 crores rupees in the open market Officers are now entitled to a tax free 20 percent of the total value of seized contraband. The new rules also provide that all those who haul in the illegal arms and ammunition, foreign exchange or seize goods, on which government duties were evaded, will also be rewarded.

* The Kerala Government awarded a prize of three lakh rupees and a car to India’s sprint queen, P.T. Usha for her performance in the Asian Games at Seoul when she bagged 4 gold’s and one silver medal. Usha’s coach O.M. Nambiar would be give rupees one lakh. * The U.S.A. House of Representatives approved a sweeping immigration reform bill which gives temporary residency up to 350,000 aliens who have lived in the United States for the past three years and worked harvesting perishable crops for at least 90 days each year. After one year as a temporary resident, the workers will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.

In addition, a second group of aliens who have worked for 90 days in the US. proceeding May 1986 will be eligible to apply for temporary status and for permanent status after two years. * Visitors to Britain from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will need visas from Oct, 15, the Home Office announced in London on Oct. 5, 1986.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 31, 1986