Opinion October 25, 1983, Forty Years Ago: Sethi Invites Akalis

After rounds of abortive direct and tripartite talks with Akalis till June, the Centre has decided once again to invite Akali Dal president Harchand Singh Longowal for a fresh round of talks to resolve the Punjab problem. An announcement of the Centre’s new initiative was made by Union Home Minister P C Sethi at a meeting of the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament.

FFI Threat To Centre

The Film Federation of India has threatened to withdraw its support to Filmotsav ’84 if the government continued to ignore commercial cinema while appointing directors on the board of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). FFI chief Ram Bohra pointed out that the government’s arbitrary appointments would further alienate NFDC and the exercise of development of cinema would become self-defeating.

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Sino-India Talks Begin

Indian and Chinese officials sat together for another round of talks aimed at working out modalities for resolving the boundary question and steps to improve relations between the two countries. Interestingly, the two sides are also exchanging views on regional and international situation. The two delegations constituted four groups that will tackle issues concerning the boundary dispute, trade, cultural exchanges and cooperation in science and technology.

Beirut Attack

The US Defence department said that at least 191 American servicemen were killed in the bomb attack on a US marine headquarters near the Beirut airport. The new death toll came after President Reagan made clear that he intends to retaliate against the authors of the bomb attack when they can be identified.