CHANDIGARH: The process of deployment of army a few kilometers behind the border security border with Pakistan commenced Dec 10 to step up operations against Sikh freedom fighters it was officially learnt here.
‘The army has also begun “exercises” in sensitive areas of the border districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Bhatinda and Faridkot in the northern Indian state of Punjab.
The exercises mainly include patrolling operations.
These steps have been taken by the center in the wake of increased number of killings in Punjab and in the light of discussions Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar held recently with leaders of various political parties.
It was also officially learnt the army was assisting the civil authorities in the sensitive areas of the border districts and it was carrying on the exercises on its own. This was being done in some border towns and villages also.
A report from Amritsar said the area between the Indo Pakistan border and the ditch-cum bandh in Amritsar district has been placed under night curfew, which will remain in force from 1730 hrs.to 0600 hrs for three months.
In New Delhi Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar emphasized that the federal government would stand by all its constitutional obligations as far as safeguarding the freedom of the press was concerned, particularly in Punjab.
He said this after a delegation called on him and drew his attention to threats being faced by journalists in Punjab.
In Chandigarh Simranjit Singh Mann was released from the Burial jail here Sunday evening.
He was arrested along with a number of other Akali Dal leaders and activists last month after the November 25th convention at Anandpur Sahib was banned by the Punjab government.
Official sources here said cases against Mann has been withdrawn.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 14, 1990
