MANSA: Punjab Chief Minister Singh said it was the Akali leadership and the government led by Mr. Gumam Singh which had entered into a secret understanding with the Center in 1969 to transfer Fazilka and Abohar to Haryana in lieu of Chandigarh but did not make it public. It was the Congress Government led by Giani Zail Singh which had got this decision reversed from the Center and a resolution in this respect was also passed at that time.
Addressing a large gathering at Sardulgarh after laying the foundation stone of sub divisional complex here last week, the Chief Minister said Chandigarh belonged to Punjab and “we would get it soon” He made it clear that Abohar and Pazilka would continue to be pan of Punjab. Holding Mr. Badal, Me Tohra and Mr. Ajnala responsible for sterling terrorism in the state, Mr. Beant Singh said they misguided youth and got killed about 25,000 innocents. The Bains Committee constituted by Mr. Barnala had freed over 3,000 who had created terror in the state.
Claiming Akali leadership for culling short the size of Punjab and carving out a Punjabi suba. Mr. Beant Singh said they did so to establish their own rule. He said the Punjab culture suffered a lot and the present government was making sincere efforts to restore the original glory of the state. Mr. Beant Singh alleged that Mr. Badal and Mr. Tohra conspired to kill Sant Harchand Singh Longowal to tarpedo the implementation of the Rajiv-Longowal accord. Branding Mr. Badal and other Akali leaders as anti-national and anti-people, the Chief Minister, said they connived with the Chandra Shekhar Government and hobnobbed with militants.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 29, 1994
