NEW DELHI: The central government Friday had directed the government of Punjab to take firm action to foil any attempt to implement the militants’ call for a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) on Baisakhi (spring festival-April 13).
Minister of state for home affairs Subodh Kant Sahay told Punjab Governor Malhotra here that the state administration should warn those politicians who endorsed the militant’s UDI call that it would be “unfortunate for their political fate”
“We will not allow any secessionist activity in Punjab” Sahay asserted.
Over 1000 persons have been killed in Punjab this year alone.
Sahay told the governor to ensure that no one was allowed to sabotage the right to vote being given to the people. “The Punjab problem is to be resolved through the battle of the ballot not the bullet” Sahay said
He said the Governor would be convening a meeting of the advisory council in Chandigarh on April 18 to discuss arrangements to ensure free and fair polls for the local bodies assembly and parliament.
NEW DELHI: IK Gujral refuted the charge by Shekhar that he had advised the Indians in Kuwait to support Saddam Hussein.
In a statement here Gujral said that he was surprised to read the prime minister’s remarks in this regard.”
Gujral said that Chandra Shekhar was an old friend and he held him in high esteem irrespective of “our political positions and beliefs.”
“Obviously for electoral reasons Chandra Shekhar was on prowl Gujral said.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 19, 1991
