40 years ago, January 17, 1986: Kandukhera at boiling point

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January 17, 2026 06:57 AM IST First published on: Jan 17, 2026 at 06:51 AM ISTKandukhera, which holds the key to the Abohar-Fazilka belt, is virtually at boiling point with unprecedented police build-up by both Punjab and Haryana on the eve of the fresh language survey by enumerators. It is virtually a police camp. All entry points have been sealed.Haryana’s threatHaryana has threatened that if the enumeration is vitiated and simultaneous transfer of Hindi-speaking villages from this area does not take place, the transfer of Chandigarh would not be possible and the Punjab accord would fall. The threat is contained in the application filed by Haryana before the Mathew Commission asking for replacement of Punjab police by the CRPF.AdvertisementPM’s warningThe Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, will continue to get full exposure on Doordarshan in spite of his repeated “warnings” against too much “image-building” for him. This has become clear after a series of meetings involving the officials of Doordarshan and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry following PM Gandhi’s displeasure on his continued projection on TV.South Yemen fighting spreadsFierce fighting broke out again between opposing factions of South Yemen’s armed forces for control of the country, and Gulf-based maritime shipping executives reported “deafening blasts” and “sky-high balls of flame” in Aden. It appears that fighting has spread to all six provinces (along South Yemen), said a western diplomat in Sanaa, North Yemen.Consumer courtA special civil court for speedy redressal of consumer complaints, award of compensation and verification of claims made by industry about products are some of the highlights of the Consumer Protection Bill, 1986, which is expected to be introduced in the forthcoming Budget Session of the Lok Sabha.