Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, the Central government has turned down the proposal of Punjab Finance Minister, Balwant Singh, requesting for the reimbursement of expenditure on Security: Forces deployed in Punjab?
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: Mr. Balwant Singh’s argument that the Punjab government alone should not be made to pay 100 crores to protect the unity ‘and integrity of the country failed to move the Central government?
Ambassador: Very Correct.
Journalist: How is it Central leaders expect Punjab government to exterminate the Sikh youth but are not willing to share the costs? Do you think Balwant Singh is ignorant of the price that stooges have to pay to please their Masters?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Hindu fundamentalist organizations like Shiv Sena and RSS are demanding Army rule in Punjab?
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: These organizations are also engaged in attacking Sikh holy places and burning Sikh business establishments in the cities and Para-military troops don’t stop them from indulging in hooliganism?
Ambassador: Very Correct.
Journalist: Do they want Army rule for their Protection or do they Plan to carry out another Sikh massacre under Army patronage on the Delhi pattern?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Bhjan Lal, continues harping that Chandigarh will not be allowed to be transferred to Punjab unless SYL canal is dug out and Abohar and Fazilka are handed over to Haryana?
Ambassador: That’s Right.
Journalist: Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala on the other hand says that digging of SYL before the verdict of the Tribunal does not make sense. He said that 300 crores would go Waste if Tribunal decided that Haryana had no right over Punjab waters?
Ambassador: Very Correct.
Journalist: Does it not means Bhajan Lal is cocksure about the verdict going in his favor? Has he been given any private assurance by Rajiv Gandhi that the Tribunal will announce what the Central government wants it to announce?
Ambassador: Not in national to disclose,
Article extracted from this publication >> April 11, 1986
