NEW DELHI: Home Minister S.B.Chavan on Monday ruled out in the Rajya Sabha the possibility of releasing Akali leaders who were making a demand for Khalistan

The minister was responding to members, who sought clarifications on statement by him on the incident in Sangrur on March 10 when 15 non-Punjabis were gunned down,

Referring to the leader of the opposition, S. Jaipal Reddys mention about a reported press interview G.S. Tohra that they would want “nothing short of Khalistan “Chavan said “all the more reason that they should not be released.”

He said the government had already begun a dialogue with various people and parties about a possible package to solve the Punjab imbroglio.

Chavan said following the Sangrur incident, all state governments had been alerted to pre~ vent any “reaction or retaliation against the Punjabi communities there.

While reiterating that the government could not force security cover to industries which declined it, the minister agreed to have the whole issue re-examined in view of the members anguish.

In the main statement, the minister had said that security cover had been offered to the Indian Acrylic Fiber plant in January this year as it was situated away from the main city, but it had been rejected. The factory management had said that their American collaborators Dupont were not in favor of security.

Responding to several members averments about a possible nexus between the refusal of security and the fact that collaborator was “American, the minister said “prima facie, 1am convinced that there is no need for any inquiry.”

Chavan said it was clear that the militants were trying to send a new message and add a new dimension, by frightening non Punjabis,

The minister said it was unrealistic to expect a sudden fall in Punjab violence so soon after the new government had been elected, He said the government had been in favor of elections because of its belief that the state should have a representative government,

But it was learn that Pakistan had not wanted election to take place and this was the reason that militants had tried to prevent Voters.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 27, 1992