This is the front page of The Indian Express published on May 30, 1984, Forty Years Ago.
Terrorists killed seven people, including two Border Security Force jawans, and injured seven persons in extremist activity in Punjab in the last 24 hours. The two BSF jawans and a civilian were killed when terrorists opened fire on a BSF picket in Tarn Taran. Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi expressed her unhappiness to the Punjab Governor B D Pande over the handling of the Punjab situation.
A Diplomatic Gaffe
India has conveyed to Bangladesh its “profound regret” over the violent incidents at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, in which volunteers of the “Hindu Manch” damaged the mission building. Foreign Secretary M Rasgotra met the Bangladesh High Commissioner Air Marshal A K Khandekar and conveyed to him that the Indian government regretted the incident. Rasgotra assured him that full protection would be provided to the diplomatic mission.
Riots In J&K
One person was killed and one seriously injured when the police opened fire in Srinagar to quell violent mobs. Two persons were injured in the firing. One of them succumbed to his injuries. The police resorted to firing when lathicharge and teargas failed to disperse the mob that set fire to the office of the deputy superintendent of police.
Thackeray’s Claim
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray feels that if he is arrested on some criminal charges, it would only lead to “further chaos”. He said that if the government desired to take action, it could have done so immediately after his so-called provocative speech. The delayed action proved that the “government has wilted under communal pressure.”
