Asia's Murder Capital?

Indian Snub for Bill Clinton!

#memoriesfromdiaries #newspaperinlearning

24th January 1994

[This day, 30 years ago, from my personal diary entry]

Five news-worthy events were featured in today’s newspaper.

Firstly, on this particular day, India gave a tough rejoinder and a snub to Bill Clinton for his views on Punjab, calling his remarks unwarranted and uncalled for!

On a parallel front, the following week, angry Sikhs burnt President Clinton’s effigy Tuesday to protest against his remarks on their homeland. 

According to reports, an estimated 250 busloads of pro-government Sikhs brought from Punjab by India’s ruling party estimated by police to number 15,000, were halted by three lines of barricades about a quarter-mile from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.

Secondly, India and Bangladesh finally agreed for the repatriation of the Chakmas, in one of the largest settlements of refugees in the world.

The Chakmas who were predominantly Buddhists, faced persecution, and had to flee their homes, when their land was submerged by the Kaptai dam project in the 1960s.

More than 30,000 Chakma refugees, had then sought refuge in Arunachal Pradesh and the numbers grew in the decades to come. Since the All Assam Students Union, amongst a host of other associations protested the growing number of Chakmas, and hence the government decided to repatriate them.

Thirdly, an Editorial column in today’s newspaper described Manila [the Capital of Philippines] as Asia’s Murder Capital. According to reports, there were 3,000 murders and homicides in the first three months of 1996 - nearly double murder rate in the United States.

Fourthly, the National Games of India, [earlier known as the Indian Olympic Games] was being held in Mumbai, from 16th to 25th January 1994.

Finally, CM Jayalalithaa to unveil MGR’s statue in Villuppuram.

To sum up this particular day on the News front –

Six inter-national conflicts featured in today’s newspaper.

1. India-China Parleys on border troops, due to the escalating conflict on both sides.

2. India-Bangladesh conflict over Chakma refugees.

3. India – Pakistan Conflict over killing of ultras and civilians on either side.

4. India – US Conflict over Clinton’s remarks on Punjab.

5. Israel-Palestinian Conflict, on the sidelines of which, Arafat briefed Mubarak.

6. Serbia-Bosnia Conflict, during which Bosnia calls for air strikes against Serbs.

News sourced from latimesdotcom