Yechury blames Centre for worsening K-situation

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 17

CPM chief Sitaram Yechury on Monday expressed concern over the deteriorating condition in the Kashmir valley, and attributed it to the faulty policy of the Centre regarding the state.

He pitched for the government engaging all stakeholders in Kashmir to reach a durable peace.

“It is unfortunate that seven civilians were killed in the firing by security forces on unarmed protesters. This is unacceptable,” Yechury said referring to the civilian deaths at the site of an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Pulwama on Saturday.

Large crowds had reportedly descended at the encounter site in support of the terrorists during the operations by the security forces.

The situation in Kashmir was discussed by CPM’s central committee during it two-day meeting here, which concluded on Sunday.

“Killing terrorists is understandable, but killing of civilians in unacceptable,” he said.

“Over 300 civilians have died in the past three years. Unfortunately, no inquiry has been conducted into these deaths and no one responsible has been held accountable. This situation will only lead to further alienation of the people,” he added.

He claimed the BJP was interested in the continuation of such situation to aid its larger political agenda of communal polarisation in view of the general election.

He said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had led an all-party delegation to the state to talk to a cross-section of the people to explore measures to bring normalcy in the state.

After the delegation’s visit, it was decided to engage local populace as part of confidence-building measures. The government did not take the matter to the logical conclusion, Yechury added.