This is the front page of The Indian Express published on July 9, 1984, Forty Years Ago.
India and Pakistan took a major step in media cooperation by choosing to eschew hostile propaganda and decided to exchange broadcast programmes. The Information and Broadcasting minister, H K L Bhagat, assured his Pakistani counterpart that India wished for the stability and prosperity of Pakistan. The officials will meet every three months to monitor official media organisations.
Curfew In Srinagar
The police forces fired teargas to deter youths who were violating the imposed curfew in downtown Srinagar on July 8. Curfew restrictions were not relaxed, unlike the week before — vehicles were not allowed to ply, press, and curfew passes were declared invalid. The police also encountered a stone-throwing mob near Habba Kadal and arrested 13 individuals. Ousted chief minister Farooq Abdullah’s public address at the Khanqah-e-Moula didn’t occur.
IA Hijackers’ Fate
External Affairs Minister, P V Narasimha Rao, will discuss the issue of the hijackers’ return when he meets Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Yakub Khan. This will be the first high-level direct contact between the two countries, since the July 5 hijacking of the Indian Airlines Airbus. Pakistani authorities have already conducted a preliminary interrogation of the accused.
J&K Crackdown
The Jammu & Kashmir government has cracked down on Sikh extremists from Punjab, who have been hiding out in the state. 150 individuals have been arrested over three days, soon after the hijacking of the IA Airbus. The Sikh youths have sought the assistance of the Jamaat-i-Islami and other secessionist organisations, to fight against the state’s repression.
