* Thousands of people walked through the city of Delhi in a massive march for communal harmony and then held a rally. The speakers at the rally demanded that the government should check the activities of the religion based armies (Senas) and look into the growing communalization of the police and administration. A speaker criticized as shameful the clean chit given to the Gorkha National Liberation Front by Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi.

Murderous Assault on a Judge

* The Punjab judicial officers are on a mass casual leave in protest against the murderous assault on Mr. R.L. Anand, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ludhiana. Mr. Anand convicted and sentenced on Dec. 1, Parampal Singh, a driver of the truck used in the assault on Mr. Pandey and sentenced him to five years imprisonment each on two charges. The culprits in such cases of rash’ driving are normally either set free or punished to undergo six months jail.

Political Steps: Only Solution

* Mr. C. Rajeswara Rao, General Secretary of the C.P.I. demanded early solution of the Punjab by administrative and political measures. He also urged implementation of the Punjab Accord.

Punjab Robberies

* At least 40 crores of bank robberies involving Rs. 68.75 lakhs were reported from Punjab by Public Sector banks, between Nov. 1, 1985 and Oct. 31, 1986. Nine bank employees were killed in the robberies.

* The report of the Mishra Commission which inquired into the riots in the wake of Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s assassination in Delhi, Kanpurand Bokaro will be placed on the table of Parliament, assured the Prime Minister to the Punjab Chief Minister.

Pune Lecturer Released

* Dr. Harminder Kaur Khalsa, a lecturer arrested under the Terrorist Act was released on bail by the Additional Sessions Judge. She has been asked to furnish a security of Rs. 25,000.00, surrender her passport and has been prohibited from leaving the jurisdiction of the court without permission.Proof of Pakistan Involvement

* India will provide more concrete evidence to Pakistan about its involvement in freedom fighter’s activities in Punjab. About the evidence provided so far, the Pakistani authorities have said that it is based on confessional statements in police custody and, therefore. not reliable.

Panthic Panel Warns Informers

* The “Khalistan Commando Force” offered an award of ten thousand rupees to anyone who gives information about police “touts”. Three organizations have threatened police informers with dire consequences and stated that those persons instrumental in the arrest of their colleague Dhanna Singh a member of the Panthic Committee would be suitably punished.

Amarinder Demands Dismissal of Barnala

* Mr. Amarinder Singh has demanded the immediate dismissal of the Barnala government which he said was “incompetent, corrupt and spineless”. Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala has proved to be a total flop.

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 16, 1987