WSN service
NEW DELRE: The initial euphoria of liberalism displayed by the VP Singh government appears to be coming to an unexpected end with the Janata Dal administration renewing the Gandhi legacy of fake encounter killings.
Thirteen youths officially called terrorists were killed in Punjab on Jan 14. This seems true after the union cabinet committee on Punjab met here to discuss the situation in the wake of the bombing death of Gobind Ram.
Five youths were killed in an alleged encounter at Alawalwal village in Ferozepur, four near Kurali in Ropar and two in Gathinda districts
Soon after he took over as Governor, NK Mukharji had ordered an end to fake encounters. The sudden reversal seems to have been caused by two important factors, Akali Dal (M) leaders have been brought around to the outline framed by the Dec 17 all-party meeting which among other things agreed to fight “terrorism” in Punjab the second factor is the center’s desire to win the Hindu vote in the Assembly elections whenever these are held in Punjab.
The peoples entire attention is now focused on electoral preparations the lender has joined fresh polemics with Pakistan. This is being done to blunt Congress Criticism that the new regime had not been able to contain the unrest in Kashmir and Punjab.
The VP Singh has of course to balance the criticism of Pakistan with the need to not antagonize it.
Secondly the Govt is no hurry to hold elections where situation is uncertain. The strongly seems to be to appease the Mann group first and hold elections later.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 19, 1990
