Stop Closure of Gujarat Relief Camps

Date: 
Wednesday, June 19, 2002

Press Statement

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

On Gujarat Situation

Stop closure of relief camps

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly opposes the decision of the Gujarat state government to close down eight more relief camps in Ahmedabad. This is a sequel to the visit of the Union Home Minister, L.K. Advani. The authorities have informed the camp organisers that supply of essential commodities will be stopped to the camps.

The claim that most of the victims of violence have returned to their homes is totally incorrect. There are still a large number of people who are unable to go to their homes, or, they have not been rehabilitated. The compensation given for a fully destroyed house is only Rs. 4000. Thousands are staying with their relatives and friends.

Instead of taking quick measures to ensure return to their homes and rehabilitating them properly, the BJP government seems determined to wind up the camps and claim the problems have been solved.

BJP's `rath yatra' : a provocative step

The decision of the state BJP unit to conduct a `rath yatra' around the state, in which the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, will participate for three days, is a provocative step which will inflame the already sensitive and difficult situation in Gujarat. To name it the "Gujarat gaurav yatra" itself reveals the motive behind this diabolic step. Narendra Modi has been harping on Gujarati pride, when faced with charges of connivance in the mass killings and violence.

At a time when the minorities are still terrorised and unable to live normal lives, the proposed BJP `rath yatra' is a flagrant attempt at stoking communal tensions. It is incumbent upon the Vajpayee government to put a stop at this effort.