This is the front page of The Indian Express published on July 22, 1984, Forty Years Ago.
For the second time since Army action last month, the Bhakra main line canal was breached. The breach, which occurred near the Siswan super passage, about 5 km downstream of an earlier breach near Romar is in all probability an act of sabotage. The breach was about 20 feet wide on the right bank of the canal when it was detected in the morning.
Govt in the dock
The monsoon session of Parliament is certain to have a stormy opening with various major and minor opposition parties declaring their intention to confront the ruling party on its recent actions in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Sikkim. There is near unanimity among opposition parties in condemning the dismissal of Farooq Abdullah’s government in Jammu and Kashmir. Home Minister P V Narasimha Rao, in particular, will have a tough time in silencing protest on this count.
Indo-Pak on Siachen
Pakistani and Indian commanders held an emergency meeting at a remote Himalayan glacier to discuss recent clashes between their troops there, Pakistan Foreign Minister Yaqub Khan, said. The meeting under a ceasefire flag last week was the first step towards a solution of a border dispute over the Siachen glacier. Khan said Islamabad wanted to improve relations with New Delhi and efforts were continuing to prevent further clashes.
The Rupee question
The persistent devaluation of the rupee in terms of the US dollar over the last three years has led to a controversy at the highest official level. While one of the chief advisors in the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council has taken exception to the management of the external value of the rupee, Finance Ministry circles maintain that the rupee has been appreciating in terms of the other currencies.
