APRIL 25, 1984, FORTY YEARS AGO

BANGLADESH FIRING

INDIA ASKED BANGLADESH to cease immediately unprovoked firing on Indian BSF personnel and civilians across the border. Two, including a sub- inspector, were reported to have been injured when Bangladesh Rifles personnel opened fire at Sonahat in Goalpara district of Assam to prevent the construction of a barbed wire fence by India. An External Affairs Ministry spokesman said intermittent firing was continuing till 2pm.

INDIA- MEXICO TIE- UP

INDIA AND MEXICO have formally decided to set up a joint commission to give a fillip to their bilateral trade and cooperation in various fields. The countries signed two agreements, one in the field of science and technology and the other in educational and cultural exchanges. Both agreements were signed by Natwar Singh on behalf of India and Laiz Del Amo, general director of cultural affairs, on behalf of Mexico.

SETHI ON KHALISTAN

HOME MINISTER P C Sethi said that the government would not allow the formation of Khalistan at any cost. He reiterated the government’s stand that it was prepared for bipartite or tripartite talks with the Akalis. He said he had sent several letters to the Akalis to come to the negotiating table but to no avail.

MIZORAM ELECTIONS

THE FATE OF 133 candidates would be folded into ballot boxes in the fourth assembly elections of the hilly Union territory of Mizoram. It has been the most hard- fought election campaign and looks like a contest between the ruling People’s Conference and the Congress ( I). The Congress ( I) has made an all- out bid to come to power after forming governments through controversial elections in Assam and defections in Meghalaya.