NEW DELHI, India: Rajiv rule out Presidential rule in Punjab for the time being but has issued strict warning to the Punjab Chief Minister to check violence with still harsher hand. The Centre will not long tolerate the current spate of violence in the State, he said.

NEW DELHI, India: India’s Foreign Affairs Secretary, Mr. A.P. Vanketeswaran resigned from his post following differences with the Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. Contrary to Vanketervaran’s assurance to Pakistan during his recent visit of that country that Rajiv would visit Pakistan within this year, Rajiv dismissed at a press conference here any prospect of his visit to Pakistan during the current year. The Foreign Secretary resigned immediately after the press conference.

NEW DELHI, India: Rajiv Gandhi is reportedly trying to bring the two Akali factions together. Negotiations to this effect are stated to be underway with S. Parkash Singh Badal and Gurcharan Singh Tohra who are under detention following charges of their complicity with the freedom fighters. Delhi is getting convinced that replacement of Barnala ministry with President’s rule will only worsen the situation. In its reckoning Center oriented Akali rule in Punjab is the best antidote to the increasing violence.

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 23, 1987