APRIL 19, 1984, FORTY YEARS AGO

DEPUTY CM RESIGNS

THE MAHARASHTRA DEPUTY Chief Minister Ramrao Adik resigned from the cabinet after submitting his papers to Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil. He also conveyed this to the Congress (I) high command. He had taken the decision only to avoid embarrassment to “my leader”, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he said and averred that he would always remain loyal to her and to the Congress (I).

CHANDIGARH CURFEW

THE UNION TERRITORY of Chandigarh was put under night curfew as a precautionary measure. The curfew, imposed at 6pm, would be lifted at 7am the next day. It follows scattered incidents of violence and arson during the funeral procession of Hindu Suraksha Samiti leader, Inder Pal Gupta, who was killed by extremists. Two Chandigarh Roadways buses were set on fire and a number of vehicles were damaged.

PAK-PUNJAB LINKS

HOME MINISTER P C Sethi told the Lok Sabha that the government had been receiving reports for some time that Punjab extremists had links with Pakistan. There was also evidence of smuggling of arms from Pakistan across the border. He said that while the government was prepared to resume talks with the Akalis, it would take firm steps to deal with the terrorists.

FIRING AT RIOTERS

THE POLICE FIRED at hundreds of riotous workers at the Naraina Joha mandi near Patel Nagar. No one was injured in the firing but 11 policemen and four workers were reportedly injured in the three hours of violence. The police arrested 287 workers on charges like attempt to murder, rioting, assault on public servant duty and under the Delhi Police Act.