NEW DELHI: Speaking in the Power House of parliament, Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, unambiguously accused Pakistan of developing nuclear weapons. For the first time he came out openly with his charge. Earlier he had made only vague references to Pakistan’s efforts at making the atom bomb in collaboration with the United States.
He also accused Pakistan and Israel of supplying arms to SriLanka to fight the Tamil rebels he said India could not afford to be just an idle spectator to these ‘ominous developments around its immediate borders. India will have to revise its nuclear policy to meet these challenges, he said.
Earlier addressing the National Integration Council which was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala and prominent opposition leaders. Mr. Gandhi appealed to the opposition parties to support the Government’s efforts to fight violence in Punjab; He said that the situation had taken a dangerous turn with the increasing hostility between the two major communities of the State, He charged that anti-national elements were bent upon creating schism between Hindus and Sikhs. The National Integration Council passed a resolution stressing the urgent necessity of removing A.I.S.S.F and Damami Taksal from the Golden Temple. Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala, however, said that the matter of removing these organizations from the Golden Temple should be left to the Punjab Government.
Meanwhile incidents of more violence in Punjab have been reported by the B.B.C. According to its correspondent, Mr. Tully, two persons were shot dead near Batala and the gunmen escaped on their scooter after killing their victims, Patiala city was put under curfew after our persons was shot dead there, At present 12 towns of Punjab are under curfew.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 11, 1986
