NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar Dec 7 made it clear that while the centre was willing to have talks with anyone to resolve the Punjab crisis there would be no compromise with the unity and integrity of the nation. He was speaking at a meeting of leaders from Punjab of all major political parties barring the B J P. Chandra Shekhar said while the government did not want violence it would not give in to any threat. After the three hour long discussions it was decided to invite more people Saturday, an official spokesman told newsmen.

The prime minister invited leaders of political parties in Punjab fora meeting Friday to have an interaction with them on the latest situation.

Shekhar sought from the leaders their views on the situation in the state and what steps should be taken to improve the situation which had taken a turn for the worse in the last few weeks.

He assured the meeting that the government would take stern action against officials found to be corrupt.

He asked the leaders to furnish the centre with the names of the officials they felt were corrupt!”

Those present at the meeting, represented the Congress (I), the Janata Dal, The Janata Dal (S), CPI (M), CPI and the three Akali factions.

He told the meeting that Akali leaders were detained (Nov 24) before the Anandpur Sahib meeting on the basis of concrete information that some people were going to “declare formation of Khalistan”.

Militants have been fighting in Punjab for separate state of Khalistan, (the land of the pure).

Chandra Shekar said his government sincerely wanted an amicable solution to the vexed Punjab problem and urged leaders of all political parties to rise above narrow partisan interests and ensure that peace returned to the trouble tom state.

The prime minister said the government was at times forced to take harsh steps but said they would not be viewed as something prompted by ill intentions.

While the Akali Dal factions wanted the government to unilaterally accept some of the long standing demands of the people of Punjab including transfer of Chandigarh, the representatives of Janata Dal, Janata Dal (S), the left parties and the Congress (I) favoured holding rallies to promote communal harmony among the people.

The Akali leaders ‘sought strenghting of the hands of the moderate elements in the state: They said this was the only way to isolate the militants.

Article extracted from this publication >> December 14, 1990