The Hindu : `CMP will create positive atmosphere'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002

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Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

`CMP will create positive atmosphere'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI OCT. 28. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today said the Common Minimum Programme formulated for the government to be installed in Jammu and Kashmir has many welcome features which should create a positive atmosphere to improve the situation in the State.

In a statement issued here, the CPI (M) politburo said the commitment for political dialogue, end to militant violence, respect for human rights and end to misuse of draconian laws should create a positive atmosphere for restoration of peace and normality.

The programme also focussed on economic development, employment generation and equitable distribution of resources to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

There was an assurance that the Government would protect the rights of all religious minorities, the statement said.

However, the party said the programme was silent about the need for providing autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. "This is a central issue, which would help focus the political dialogue towards meeting the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and working towards a democratic decentralisation of powers between the different regions of the State," the statement said, adding that the party expected the new government to address the issue of autonomy in a serious and responsible manner. The CPI (M) has two members, including its State Secretary, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, in the newly elected Assembly.

The CPI (M) heads the six-member People's Democratic Forum which is extending its support to the People's Democratic Party and the Congress coalition in the State.

BJP unhappy

The BJP general secretary and party spokesman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, said the programme stood less for development and was more soft on terrorists.

The BJP also expressed unhappiness that the new State Government would not extend the Prevention of Terrorism Act and also on the decision to merge the Special Operations Group.

Mr. Naqvi said the CMP had not outlined any programme for the development of the State which raised the question as to how honest the PDP-Congress coalition was towards it.

He said both the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, assured the Chief Minister-designate, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, when he called on them, that the Centre would extend all help to the State on development and in tackling terrorism.

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