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Opinion February 10, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Akalis Under NSA

This is the front page of The Indian Express published on February 10, 1985.

February 10, 2025 07:16 AM IST First published on: Feb 10, 2025 at 07:12 AM IST

There is no move to release the top Akali leaders arrested under the National Security Act after the Army action in Punjab, according to informed sources. Any move to resolve the Punjab problem or release the Akali leaders is expected only after the Assembly elections next month. According to these sources, the government has, some time back, considered releasing the top Akali leaders.

Special Police

The Punjab government proposed to form “strike forces” in the state police of about one platoon each at every sub-division and of a company each at every district headquarter apart from a company in each battalion of the Punjab Armed Police to deal with the law and order situation in the state. The “strike forces” will form the district armed reserve and have been suggested to counter surprise attacks by the extremists.

PM’s Poll Campaign

Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi will launch the election campaign of Congress (I) in UP and address nine public meetings.. He will also undertake an extensive five-day tour of Maharashtra between February 14 and February 22 to campaign for the assembly elections.

Taxes Inevitable

Despite noticed buoyancy in central tax revenues and an overall favorable economic situation, a heavy dose of taxes may be inevitable in the forthcoming Union Budget to meet the expected escalation in both plan and non-plan expenditure. The Finance Ministry has completed its initial exercise on the budget and has given a firm indication of the central assistance to the states for their annual Plans.