The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday expressed disappointment that the Central government has appointed non-political persons as interlocutors for Jammu and Kashmir suggesting that the task has to be done by a political group.
“The Central Committee expressed its disappointment at the appointment of a group of interlocutors for Jammu and Kashmir who are non-political persons. If the political process is to be taken seriously, there has to be a political group which can initiate the dialogue process,” the Central Committee said at the conclusion of its three-day meeting here.
Report on J&K adopted
“The meeting discussed and adopted a report on the J&K problem which deals with the historical background of the issue and spells out the party approach for a political solution for the Kashmir issue,” party general secretary Prakash Karat said at a press conference.
It also noted that no steps were taken to remove the security structures, which were oppressing the people in the Kashmir Valley. It said though the eight-point initiative of the Centre talked about a review of the Disturbed Areas Act in force, nothing had been done in that direction.
Commenting on the recent arrest of the absconding Asimanand, main accused in the Hyderabad Mecca Masjid blast, he said this was further confirmation of the fact that some extremist Hindutva elements were responsible for terrorist activities. He said a probe should be held to uncover the full network. The argument of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh that Hindu religious figures and its activists were being framed for political reasons was disproved by the hard facts and evidence that had emerged.
Noting that inflation remained at 8.5 per cent and prices of food items continued to rise, the Central Committee reiterated its demand that the deregulation of petrol prices be scrapped and speculation on foodgrains and essential commodities through futures trading be prohibited.
The party will oppose the Seeds Bill, which was against the interests of the farmers and in favour of the multinational companies and corporates. The party units will also launch a campaign on eight issues, including opposing the entry of Foreign Direct Investment in retail trade.
Obama visit
The party said the purpose of the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama was to promote American business and commercial interests and draw India into a military and security relationship. It said opening up Indian agriculture and retail trade to American multinational corporations would be detrimental to the interests of crores of small and marginal farmers and small retail shop owners and traders.
It also said the Manmohan Singh government seemed to be falling in step with the geopolitical strategy of the United States in order to earn the U.S. endorsement for India's permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
“There is glee at the U.S. endorsement but Japan has been waiting for several years after endorsement,” Mr. Karat said, adding that permanent membership for India in the Security Council had to be on the basis of its independent role and influence when the United Nations structure was democratised.
