NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar Jan 1 said he had not given any assurance during his talks with the Akali leader Simranjit Singh Mann on Friday on the Punjab problem. Reiterating that any solution to the Punjab problem has to be within the constitutional framework the prime minister said he did not approve of violence as a means to settle differences among the people.
Most of the issues could be settled by frank and free discussions he told the home ministry officials.
Chandra Shekhar who holds the home portfolio visited the ministry in the North Block and spent about an hour conferring with the home secretary R.K. Bhargava and officials of para military forces.
The minister of state for home affairs Mr. Subodh Kant Sahay and the minister of state in the prime minister’s office Mr Kamal Morarka were also present.
Officials of the home ministry apprised prime minister of the general situation in the country particularly in the eastern state of Assam and the union territories. They also informed him of the progress in the census operations.
Prime Minister was told of the operations launched in the home ministry for clearing pending cases of freedom fighters.
Chandra Shekhar asked the home ministry officials to look after the welfare of the security forces many of whom were posted on the frontiers.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 11, 1991
