CHANDIGARH: Harkishen Singh Surjeet politburo member of the Communist Party Marxist said. Here on Tuesday that the Government should take unilateral steps by taking the people of Punjab into confidence to solve the festering problem.

Addressing a news conference he said, the government meant well on Punjab but failed to follow up action. Surjeet said his party had changed its stance on holding elections in Punjab and urged the government to ensure free and fair polls; His earlier stand was elections should not be held.

The leader said the situation in the state was terrible and blamed the Akalis for it. Various Akali factions were vying with each other to woo the militants and failed to condemn the killing of innocent persons, he said. Either they were scared or were trying to draw political mileage, he said.

Subject outlined steps for the administration to take including constant patrolling and village defence units with better weapons. He said the media should be used fully to expose the militants. There was no need for talks with anyone and the government should act unilaterally he opposed giving a free hand to bureaucrats.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 13, 1990