This is the front page of The Indian Express published on November 16, 1984.
Nov 16, 2024 01:00 IST First published on: Nov 16, 2024 at 03:00 IST
Police investigators report that a senior officer ordered the shooting of Indira Gandhi’s assassins after their surrender. Surviving assassin Satwant Singh claims guards fired without provocation. This contradicts earlier police statements that the assassins were shot while resisting commandos. Evidence shows they were shot in the guard room ten minutes post-surrender.
Terrorists Escape
Seven terrorists freed four colleagues from police custody, killing one bus passenger and injuring two police escorts near Faridkot district in Punjab. The incident occurred while the arrested terrorists were returning from court to jail. The terrorists also seized ammunition from injured policemen. The freed terrorists were identified as Sukhdev Singh and Kulwant Singh. Just four policemen — three constables and one head constable — were put on duty for as many terrorists
Tamil Nadu Polls
The Tamil Nadu Governor, S L Khurana, dissolved the State Assembly on the recommendation of the Council of ministers. The Finance Minister met the governor on November 14 to convey the Council’s decision, seeking a fresh mandate from people for implementing socialistic and secular programmes alongside parliamentary elections.
BJP’s Vision
The BJP’s national executive called for “a new polity, new government and new leadership” in the country. In a resolution passed at their concluding session, the party committed to value-based politics, democracy and positive secularism. The resolution emphasised the need for a government that represents the country’s diversity and restores the state’s moral authority.
