People's Democracy

JAMMU & KASHMIR

This is Not Just Law & Order Issue: CPI(M)

ASKING the state government of Jammu & Kashmir to exhibit utmost caution and restraint in its response to the emerging situation, the state committee of the CPI(M) has expressed deep anguish over the spate of civilian killings across the valley. The committee emphasised that the situation should not be seen through the prism of law and order problem, nor as an issue of whether the state police or CRPF is responsible for the present situation.

The CPI(M) believes that the blame game between the central and the state governments over the civilian killings would drift the situation towards more chaos. On the contrary, both the governments are expected to respond to the situation with a rational and humane approach.

According to the party, the present situation is the manifestation of the long pending political discontentment among the people of Jammu & Kashmir, and has demanded the initiation of a serious political process, dialogue and deliberations. The political initiatives taken by India and Pakistan a few years ago had undoubtedly come to the people of the state as a ray of hope but unfortunately this political process later came to a halt.

The peace process started between the two countries and the subsequent interactions through Track II and backside channels had created an atmosphere where flexibility was witnessed in place of the earlier maximalist attitudes of the two countries. Certain confidence building measures were also taken and had had a significant impact on the ground level realities.

The CPI(M) state committee maintains that the prevalent situation in the valley must once again make the central government realise the importance of initiation of a serious all-inclusive political dialogue with the people of Jammu & Kashmir. It has expressed the hope that the central government would adopt a proactive approach regarding the composite dialogue with Pakistan.

The state government, with the help of the centre, must address the genuine grievances of the youth who feel disillusioned. The state committee of the CPI(M) feels that since the prime minister’s recent visit to the state was bereft of any political message. It has thus deepened further the disillusionment among the people, particularly the youth. The party firmly believes that the people have the right to protest, but they should remain cautious, lest their sentiments are exploited by the vested interests for their nefarious designs, at the cost of blood of the innocent people. (INN)