LUDHIANA: Dialogue is a must to solve the Punjab problem and talks with militants too should be explored if these could be helpful in resolving the tangle.
This was stated by former Prime Minister and Janata Dal leader V.P Singh at a press conference here on Nov.12. He emphasized that winning over the trust of the people in the border state should be on topmost priority.
While admitting need for economic benefits to Punjab he said one thing must be borne in mind that the people cannot be bought.
Singh said it was not merely a law and order problem in Punjab but was political as well. He called for evolving strong mechanism to redress public grievances and building public trust.
Referring to the achievements of his 11 month mule in setting the Punjab issue V.P Singh replied that previously there was a general atmosphere of distrust about Sikhs in the country which his government was able to dispel.
V.P Singh disclosed that a few days back he wrote a letter to Prime Minister P.V Narasimha Rao to personally visit Punjab with an open mind and heart and listen to the people in the state on whose psyche events of 1984 were still etched He urged Rao to express repentance for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
As for the performance of his own government on this count Singh said he was able to book a number of people issue a large number of warrants etc. but could not touch some guilty VIPs as information got leaked and they got pre-arrest bails. But he affirmed that the guilty of riots must be punished.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 27, 1992
