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Punjab Accord was an agreement signed between the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand Singh Longowal, the then President of Akali Dal in July 1985 to be known as ‘ Rajiv Gandhi Longowal Accord’ also create normalcy in Punjab.
The main provisions of the Punjab accord were:
- Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab.
- To appoint a separate commission to resolve the border dispute between Punjab and Haryana.
- To set up a tribunal settle down the sharing of Ravi-Beas river water among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
- To provide an agreement for compensation to and better treatment of those affected by the militancy in Punjab.
- To withdraw the Armed Forces Special powers Act in Punjab.
But, peace could not be established easily in Punjab a resulted as follows:
- Militancy and counter insurgency violence led to excesses by the police and violations of human rights.
- Politically, it led to the fragmentation of the Akali Dal.
- President’s rule was imposed and the normal electoral process was suspended.
- Hence, the Political process could not be restored in the atmosphere. Even during elections in 1992, only 24 per cent of the electors tuned out to vote. Consequently above mentioned added to the tension between Punjab and its neighbouring states.