Initiate dialogue in J&K: Left

Left parties on Wednesday articulated need to begin a political process and initiation of dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir by sending an all-party delegation to hear views of different sections of the State people.

Taking part in the all-party meeting here, the Left parties stressed the need for accountability for the security forces and action on excesses and human rights violations.

“There should be no delay in taking some measures to instil confidence among the people and not treat it as a matter of security or law and order,” Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat told

The Hindu .

The Left parties gave a five-point suggestion, including one on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) that the State government wanted to be withdrawn from parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Left parties suggested that since the Army was not deployed, the Disturbed Areas proclamation from Srinagar and other centres should be revoked which would make the AFSPA redundant. This step should be taken till a decision was taken on amending the Act, said a joint statement by the parties.

Left leaders expressed sorrow and anguish at the death of more than 80 people in the Valley in the past three months and called for a halt to the method of policing that led to deaths of a large number of people due to firing.

“There should be a distinction made in handling stone-pelting crowds and tackling violence by militants and terrorist activities,” they said.

The leaders suggested that many youth arrested during this period and were in jail be released, provided they did not face any serious charges.

Relief measures

Simultaneously, steps should be taken to provide relief to the large number of people injured and those permanently incapacitated. They also suggested that measures be taken to provide economic relief for the continuous disruption of business and economic activities in the Valley with special emphasis on providing employment.

Representatives of the Left parties who spoke at the meeting were Mr. Karat, A.B. Bardhan (CPI), Debabrata Biswas (AIFB) and Prasanta Mazumdar (RSP). CPI MPs Gurudas Dasgupta and D. Raja also attended the meeting.