NEW DELHI, India: The National executive of Bhartiya Janata Party, which met at Gwaliar on July 20th, has asked the Centre to refer to a single commission all territorial disputes arising out of Punjab Accord. In a resolution adopted at the concluding session here that executive assembly decried the reported willingness of Mr. Gandhi to open a dialogue with the freedom fighters for settling the Punjab tangle. Briefing newsmen, the party President Mr. Atal Bihari Bajpai said that his party had definite information that the Congress (I) vice-President, Mr. Arjun Singh, was carrying out secret dialogue with the freedom fighters. We strongly object to any secret talks between the government and the freedom fighters, he said, Referring to the Desai Commission the resolution said that the manner in which it was asked to submit its report within 12 hrs has only brought the government prestige down and also put to ridicule the credibility of the judicial commissions. Keeping in view these factors the resolution recommended a new Commission without any time limit so that it would report recommendation for a simultaneous transfer. According to a report the executive termed the terms of reference of the Desai Commission as defective.
The President, Mr. Bajpai, said that he had talked to the Chief Minister, Mr. Sugit Singh Barnala and Finance Minister, Mr. Balwant Singh. Both have agreed to the suggestion that the construction work of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal be handed over to the Centre. According to him the construction work was not going to be completed by Aug. 15th as earlier stated. The resolution on Punjab described as dangerous, the migration of the Hindus from Punjab and that of Sikhs in the reverse direction. This can only help the freedom fighters plan of transfer of population which should be stopped. The party wanted that all Chief Ministers be given responsibility of preventing migration of Sikhs from their States. There is no danger to Sikhs staying in different parts of the country. There has been no reports of any victimization of Sikhs, he said, The resolution said that B.J.P. was of the firm opinion that the only true and. abiding guarantee of the peace was the mutual trust of the people at village level. This trust has been a historic fact and the game that politicians were playing today was putting serious strain on these harmonious relations. The executive reiterated its demands to deploy the army in the disturbed districts of Punjab to further improve the situation. Replying to a question, Mr. Bajpai said the secret plan of raids on freedom fighters in Punjab was being leaked out. The government should take all necessary steps to remove doubtful elements from the key posts so that the raids would be more effective.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 25, 1986
