On Ceasefire In Jammu and Kashmir

Date: 
Monday, November 20, 2000

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

On Ceasefire In Jammu and Kashmir

The people of Jammu & Kashmir are eager and anxious for the cessation of hostilities and peace being restored. The ceasefire declared by the Union government for the period of Ramzan will be welcomed given this widespread urge.

However, it is not clear how the Vajpayee government proposes to move for a political settlement on the issue. The CPI(M) has consistently maintained that without initiating a dialogue for provision of maximum autonomy there can be no substantive progress. The Vajpayee government refused to even consider the issue when the J&K assembly passed a resolution for autonomy.

In the recent period, disturbing proposals have been mooted for trifurcating the state on communal lines. This has found favour in circles abroad and communal forces who are active in the state.

The Vajpayee government has to spell out its overall approach on all these issues.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) hopes that the implementation of the ceasefire will be followed by concomitant political steps which can pave the way for the solution to the problem in Jammu & Kashmir and for the establishment of lasting peace.