NEW DELHI: Indian minister, S.B Chavan Wednesday said the federal government was committed to implement the Rajiv Longowal accord on Punjab and charged Pakistan with trying to disrupt and sabotage the electoral process in Punjab.
Chavan, in his opening remarks at the All-Party meeting of political leaders on Punjab, said that the intelligence agency of Pakistan was providing militants with weaponry, training and sanctuary across the border.
“There are indications that instructions from across the border are given to ensure that elections do not take place in Punjab”, he said adding that “the center is committed to holding elections in Punjab before February 15 next year and no room is allowed for intimidation or threats”.
All prominent Akali leaders including Parkash Singh Badal, Surjeet Singh Bamala, Simranjit Singh Mann, Jagdey Singh Talwandiand G.S Tohra, who had been invited for the meeting, Stayed away.
He said as far as the center was concerned, it was committed to the implementation of the Punjab accord, Chavan spoke of the recent spurt in the violence in the state and attacks on the families of policemen and said “we are acutely aware of the role played by Pakistan in all these subversive activities. A number of important militant leaders are staying in Pakistan across the border and directing the operations from there”, Among the Akali leaders attend. ing the meeting were Capt. Amarinder Singh, Rajdey Singh, Jeevan Singh Umrangal and a representative of the AISSE (Manjit Singh faction), Harminder Singh Gill.
The Rajiv-Longowa} accord signed in 1985 by the then prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi and Akalj leader Harchand Singh Longwal never took off, Longowal was Subsequently assassinated Indian newspaper report
Article extracted from this publication >> December 20, 1991
