J&K -- Common Minimum Programme

Date: 
Monday, October 28, 2002

Press Statement

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

The Common Minimum Programme formulated for the government to be installed in Jammu & Kashmir has many welcome features. 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 normalcy. At the same time, the programme envisages attention to economic development, employment generation and equitable distribution of resources to the three regions of the state – Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. There is an assurance that the government will protect the rights of all religious minorities.

However, the programme is silent about the need for providing autonomy to the state of Jammu & Kashmir. This is a central issue, which would help to focus the political dialogue towards meeting the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and working towards a democratic decentralization of powers between the different regions of the state.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expects the new state government to address the issue of autonomy in a serious and responsible manner.