Opinion 40 years ago, December 26, 1985: Mahanta on minorities
The new Assam Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, asserted that the minorities in the state, including those who would be disfranchised under the Assam Accord, had nothing to fear in the new setup.
“We want cooperation from all to build up a new Assam and our priority is peace and unity among all,” Mahanta said, addressing his first news conference since assuming office.
The new Assam Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, asserted that the minorities in the state, including those who would be disfranchised under the Assam Accord, had nothing to fear in the new setup. “We want cooperation from all to build up a new Assam and our priority is peace and unity among all,” Mahanta said, addressing his first news conference since assuming office.
Martial law to be lifted
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Mohammad Khan Junejo, said that the eight-year-old martial law is being lifted, according to Radio Pakistan. However, Junejo did not specify any date. According to reports, it is to be lifted next week. Junejo also said that Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s birth anniversary this time was going to be “the most significant one” in the history of the country.
Industry further liberalised
The Union government announced a Christmas gift to big industrial units by further liberalising the licensing policy and extending to MRTP and FERA companies the delicensing scheme covering 22 industries and by enlarging the Appendix-I list of industries by more than 17 industries.
Curbs on Rajneesh’s followers
The government has imposed restrictions on the entry of followers of Acharya Rajneesh into the country, according to official sources. Indian missions abroad have been instructed not to issue visas to his followers. The visa authorities here have been asked not to extend the period of stay of Rajneesh’s followers who have come as tourists. The move follows the government’s fears that thousands of Rajneeshis living in the United States, West Germany and Switzerland might flock to India.
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