3 weeks ago
Calls for N-test freeze; action assured against rail staff
A long time ago, in 1986, a group of countries that care about peace came together.
India was one of these countries.
The group asked two big countries, the United States and the Soviet Union, to make a deal.
They wanted the two countries to stop testing nuclear bombs, which are extremely powerful and dangerous weapons.
The group also offered to send helpers to check that the deal was being followed.
On the same day, the Indian government was talking about a train accident.
The minister in charge said that some railway workers had not followed the safety rules.
Because of that, the careless workers were going to face action.
The accident involved a train called the Amritsar-TataNagar Express.
People hoped the punishment would make trains safer for everyone.
A six-nation group on nuclear disarmament, including India, called on the United States and the Soviet Union to set a new date for another summit between them.
The group urged the US and Soviet Union to accept a bilateral nuclear test moratorium.
The six nations proposed verification and monitoring arrangements and offered to send a group of experts to discuss the details.
Transport Minister Mohsina Kidwai informed Parliament that the Amritsar-TataNagar Express accident appeared to result from railway staff failing to observe rules on granting line clearance to the following train.
Administrative action has been taken against railway officials found negligent in the accident.
- Who
- The six-nation group on nuclear disarmament, including India, the United States, the Soviet Union, and India's Transport Minister Mohsina Kidwai.
- What
- The six nations called for a new US-Soviet summit and a bilateral nuclear test moratorium, while India's Transport Minister assured Parliament of action against negligent railway staff in the Amritsar-TataNagar Express accident.
- Where
- India (Parliament), with the nuclear appeal directed to the United States and the Soviet Union.
- When
- August 8, 1986 (reported as 40 years ago).
- Why
- To advance nuclear disarmament through a test freeze, and because the rail accident appeared to have occurred due to staff failing to observe line clearance rules.
Key facts
- Date of reports
- August 8, 1986
- Nuclear demand
- US-Soviet bilateral nuclear test moratorium and a new summit date
- Proposing group
- Six-nation group on nuclear disarmament, including India
- Proposal details
- Verification and monitoring arrangements; offer to send a group of experts
- Rail accident
- Amritsar-TataNagar Express
- Suspected cause
- Failure of railway staff to observe rules on granting line clearance
- Minister involved
- Mohsina Kidwai, Transport Minister
- Response
- Administrative action against negligent officials
Sources
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