CPM calls for ending ‘repression’ in Kashmir

The CPI(M) on Wednesday castigated the BJP government at the Centre for “shelving” the recommendations of the All-Party Delegation (APD) towards seeking restoration of peace and normalcy in the Kashmir Valley.

The 26-member delegation headed by Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, visited twin capitals of Srinagar and Jammu earlier this month to meet and hold talks with individuals and political and other groups in an attempt to reach out the people of the Valley which has been caught in worst crises of many years in the aftermath of the killing of militant commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani on July 8.

CPI(M) state secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami while addressing a press conference here said that setting aside the APD’s recommendations is “unfortunate”.

He said, “The government has, so far, done nothing on the ground to ease tensions. None of the recommendations of the APD have been implemented either.”

One of the suggestions put forth by the delegation especially the CPIM was ending the use of shotgun pellets as these have killed, blinded and maimed more than 600 Kashmiri youth during the 12-week-old unrest.

“We demanded both inside and outside Parliament that infamous pellet gun must be banned but its indiscriminate use continues,” he added.

Mr. Tarigami said that the CPIM strongly resents the unabated “repression let loose in Kashmir” in the name of ‘Operation Calm Down’. He alleged, “The indiscriminate arrests, slapping of draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) on young and old, thrashing people on slightest or no provocations, damaging and ransacking residential houses and other private properties will only further alienation.” He asked, “How will raids, arrests, use of draconian PSA and ransacking of houses create Vishwaas (trust) Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, talked about recently”

He added that the way the uniformed men are behaving following the Army announced launching ‘Operation Calm Down’, poses many uncomfortable questions. “The way they are treating the people is unacceptable. In the name of restoring order, they are indulging in unlawful activities. Is this a sign of democratic India, the Constitution and law No! We oppose and reprove this,” he said.

The CPIM leader said that the Centre should know that the solution to the present crisis does not lie in sending more and more security personnel to the Valley and using repressive measures. “This will not help nor will it bring normalcy. We won’t accept silence of graveyard. Instead of this, they must take concrete and sustainable steps and address the issues through dialogue and showing regards to the free will of the people,” he said. He suggested that the government should form a committee of senior parliamentarians and not “just interlocutors” which would pave the way for holding unconditional dialogue will all stakeholders. He, however, also said that the CPIM and he do not stand for plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir but strongly advocate holding of meaningful and result-oriented dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the long standing dispute over the State.

He also demanded that a judicial commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge be constituted by the government to inquire into the killings in Kashmir. “This would help people not only in Kashmir Valley but also in Jammu and other parts of the country to know as to who was killed, whose son or daughter was killed, how and why and who is the killer ”, he said adding “accountability is must in the present scenario.” He added, “Making speeches in traditional fashion and/ or giving assurances which never see the light of the day will not work anymore. You need to take concrete steps like revoking the AFSPA and also withdrawing the Army from the civilian areas to create atmosphere conducive for addressing the issues peacefully and amicably.”