NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded greater autonomy to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh regions and immediate management of a political package for Punjab.
These demands have been aired into separate resolutions that the party’s central committee adopted during its four-day meeting which ended here on Sunday.
In it resolution on Kashmir the party warned the Narasimha Rao government to desist from holding elections in the state unless an appropriate political atmosphere was created as this would not only result in a farce but aggravate the situation in the valley.
Expressing concern over the reported move of the government to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir the resolution said “such a move is being contemplated ignoring the grave situation in the Valley and clearly exposes the Congress governments opportunism
The resolution further said “placing its partisan interests above those of the country the Narasimha Rao government seems to be in a hurry to gamer some more seats in Parliament for its majority. The Congress is seeking to repeat the boding of farcical elections like in Punjab without creating necessary political conditions that would ensure participation of the people of the Valley.”
The party reiterated that the Kashmir problem cannot be tackled merely as a law and order problem. A political solution has to be based on various measures that should be taken to ensure the protection of the Kashmiri identity its cultural traditions and customs and the integration of the Kashmiri people into the functioning of the Indian state and society.
The resolution suggested that growing unemployment among the Kashmiri youth has to be immediately redressed. Not only should Article 370 be preserved but greater autonomy to the people in the valley to decide on their developmental program should be ensured. Similarly greater autonomy for Jammu and Ladakh regions of the state must be granted and in consonance with the Indian Constitution.
In its resolution on Punjab the CPM demanded immediate initiatives to announce a political package based on the Rajiv Longowal accord. It warned that any delay in doing so would only lead to a further deterioration in the situation, damaging the cause of Indian unity.
Expressing concern over the situation in Punjab the resolution said Khalistan extremists had intensified their activities with the cold-blooded murders of innocent people in the heart of Ludhiana A graver situation emerges with the moderate Akalis being forced by the extremists to support the resolution advocating “Khalistan” in the congregation of Hollah Mollah at Anandpur Sahib.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 10, 1992
