CPI (ML) to hold statewide protests on April 28 over Pahalgam attack

The Punjab State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) New Democracy has announced that it will hold district-level protests across Punjab on April 28 to pay tribute to the victims of the recent Pahalgam massacre in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement, the party said the protests would not only commemorate those who lost their lives in the “heinous” attack but would also highlight several related issues. These include opposition to the “war-like atmosphere” being created by the Central Government in the aftermath of the tragedy and a demand for a high-level inquiry into the lack of adequate security arrangements prior to the arrival of tourists in Pahalgam.

The CPI (ML) New Democracy has also called for an investigation into the timing of the incident, especially in light of the arrival of high-ranking US officials during the same period. The party further demanded the resumption of trade between India and Pakistan through the Attari border, which was suspended previously and pressed for a political resolution to the long-standing Kashmir problem.

Party leader Comrade Ajmer Singh said the Central Government cannot evade responsibility, especially when troops are deployed in almost every part of Jammu and Kashmir. “Despite heavy militarisation in the region, the central government failed to prevent such a devastating incident,” he said.

He added in the wake of the tragedy, communal elements have resorted to provocative rhetoric in an attempt to create a tense, war-like atmosphere. “Governments on both sides are engaged in blame games to hide their own failures,” Singh said, pointing out that despite widespread condemnation of the massacre by thousands of Kashmiris, divisive forces were trying to communalise the issue.

The CPI (ML) New Democracy paid solemn tributes to the victims of the massacre and reiterated its stand for peace, dialogue and accountability in addressing both the immediate tragedy and the broader Kashmir problem.

Jalandhar