Opinion November 23, 1983, Forty Years Ago: J&K’s gun problem

Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, who also looks after the State Home Department, is reported to have given his clearance to the state police to write about the case of alleged smuggled guns seized in two gun factories here on November 18 to the Union Home Ministry with a request to refer it to Interpol.

Bandh in three states

Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh observed almost a total but peaceful bandh in protest against the brutal murder of four persons of one community by extremists near Amritsar. Cities and towns in the two states and the Union Territory wore a deserted look as shops and commercial establishments were closed following the bandh call given by the Bharatiya Janata Party and various Hindu Suraksha Samitis. The bandh was peaceful because all communities supported it.

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Delhi plays host

As presidents, prime ministers and senior ministers from 40-odd nations converged in Delhi, talks were held to set up an international study group to recommend steps to guard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of small countries. The move, apparently encouraged by India and a host of small countries, has been prompted by the recent US invasion of Grenada — a small Commonwealth nation in the Caribbean.

Inflation concern

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha that though the anticipated seasonal decline in prices had failed to come off during recent months, the situation was not unmanageable or alarming. The minister said the rate of inflation was a matter of concern to the government and called for strong handling of the situation.