Unity needs to be restored in Kashmir: CPM leader Tarigami
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Tarigami said the decision of the Centre had put the unity of Jammu & Kashmir with India at riskCPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said Tarigami would file a petition in the Supreme Court next week to challenge the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370
NEW DELHI : Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM leader Mohammed Yousaf Tarigami on Wednesday said political leaders of Kashmir were not terrorists and the clampdown in the state would only benefit those who want to further divide the state and put security at risk.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Tarigami said the decision of the Centre had put the unity of Jammu & Kashmir with India at risk.
CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said Tarigami would file a petition in the Supreme Court next week to challenge the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into two union territories.
Tarigami, who was brought to Delhi for a medical checkup, is the first leader from Jammu & Kashmir to come to Delhi.
“I am not a foreigner. Farooq Abdullah and all the other leaders from Kashmir are not terrorists. We are being made to look like terrorists. An average person from Kashmir just wants a chance to merge with the union of India. The foundation of the unity of the people of J&K with the union of India is getting assaulted by those who are mandated to protect and uphold the constitution," Tarigami said.
He said the situation in Kashmir is bad due to politicians and their mistakes. The real problem was the “trust deficit" and the Centre needed to restore confidence, he said, adding that the steps taken by the government since 5 August have not restored confidence among the people.
“Today it has been 40 days since the clampdown and all we get to hear is normalcy. Imagine if the same was to happen for a week in Delhi. Imagine the toll that would take. Why are the people of Kashmir being deprived of the most basic facilities that are given across the country," he questioned.
The Supreme Court on Monday gave permission to Tarigami to return to Srinagar as per his convenience. After an affidavit was filed by Yechury raising concerns over the health of Tarigami and lack of adequate healthcare in the state, the court permitted the Kashmiri leader to be shifted to AIIMS in Delhi earlier this month. Yechury had attempted two trips to Srinagar before the apex court gave him permission to travel to Srinagar to visit Tarigami.
Tarigami had been a member of the now dissolved Jammu & Kashmir assembly for four terms. The senior CPM leader, who is also a central committee member of the party, had been under house arrest since 5 August.
“There is a complete breakdown of communication. It is about people’s livelihood. They are unable to earn anything. The government has given their version but the reality on ground in Kashmir is very different. Only when people are united, can you fight terrorism and that unity now needs to be strengthened," Yechury said at the press conference.
A complete communication ban was imposed in the Valley on 5 August to quell any kind of retaliatory action following the abrogation of Article 370. Last week, all landline connections had been restored across the Valley.
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