January 19, 2026 08:15 AM IST

First published on: Jan 19, 2026 at 08:15 AM IST

Some of the outer areas of Chandigarh city may not go to Punjab on January 26, when the city is proposed to be transferred to that state, according to discussions between Union Home Ministry and Punjab government officials. With the completion of the language survey in all 54 villages of Fazilka and Muktsar tehsils, pending the submission of the Mathew Commission report, steps are being taken to finalise arrangements for the transfer.

Language census completed

The language survey undertaken in all 54 villages, including Kandukhera, was completed by enumerators under the joint protection of Assam Rifles and Punjab Police personnel. Rechecking of the survey was also completed in the adjoining village of Bazidpur, where a clash between two groups was prevented by state government officials

Indo-Pak talks

India and Pakistan exchanged draft agreements pledging not to attack each other’s nuclear installations as wide-ranging talks between the two sides were marked by New Delhi’s serious concern at Pakistan’s attitude towards the terrorist activities in Punjab. The visiting Indian foreign secretary, Romesh Bhandari, raised the issue of terrorist activities during his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart.

USSR on disarmament

The Soviet Union said it would put into action the entire system of existing negotiations at Geneva, Vienna and Stockholm to move toward the liquidation of all nuclear arms on Earth within 15 years but acknowledged that accords with the Americans would be neither quick nor easy. Leonid Zamyatin, spokesman for the Communist Party, in particular noted that the US Defence Secretary has said that there would be no change in the “Star Wars” programme and that a nuclear weapons test moratorium is unacceptable.