WORLD : India Sikhs Given Concessions
Prime Minister V. P. Singh offered key concessions to Sikh separatists today, but he said he had no sure way to end the violence.
Singh appeared at a rally of about 100,000 people in the Punjab city of Ludhiana as part of his 6-week-old government’s campaign to restore peace in the state. About 20 leaders of various political parties attended the meeting in the industrial town of about 800,000 known for its clothing factories.
Singh said Sikh deserters from the Indian army would be given government jobs. The deserters’ rehabilitation has been a key demand of the Sikh community. The prime minister also said the cases of jailed Sikhs would be reviewed. Hundreds and perhaps thousands are in jail.
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