NEW DELHI: The minister of state for home Subodh Kant Sahay Wednesday said Bihar state was in total anarchy due to failure of the law and order machinery but ruled out imposition of president’s rule in the Janata Dal ruled state.

In an informal chat with reporters Sahay said New Delhi has called for a report on the situation in Bihar as the state provided a typical case of breakdown of law and order.

He said one caste was being pitted against another in an ongoing caste war in Bihar and the economic blockade being spearheaded by Pro-Jharkhand activists had resulted in stoppage of production of steel and coal.

He felt the administration in the state was reluctant to take action as everybody there is trying to save his job.

Asked specifically if the government was considering imposition of central rule in the state Sahay said it is not a question of dismissing the state government our effort is to improve the law and order situation there.

It is not the responsibility of only one party to run the country. Everybody must help and cooperate he said.

The minister said the federal government was willing to provide the state government with all the necessary help to maintain law and order including sending additional companies of para-military forces and to enable the industries to function.

NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court

Wednesday made it clear that its stay on a Delhi high court order in the Bofors case would continue.

We have not vacated the apex court order of January 10 Justice K J RedJy observed.

Article extracted from this publication >> February 22, 1991