Pahalgam attack: CPI(M) seeks accountability for 'major security lapse'

The CPIM on Sunday called the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam a ldquomajor security lapserdquo and demanded a thorough investigation to fix accountability while stressing on the urgent need to identify and punish the perpetrators reported news agency PTIIn a statement issued a day after its Polit Bureau meeting the Left party also warned against the misuse of the incident to stoke communal tensions and expressed concern over rising polarisationThe CPIM observed a minutersquos silence for the 26 victims of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and expressed deep sorrow at the loss of lives Emphasising the need for a strategic response the party urged the government to prepare a comprehensive dossier on the attack and present it to the international community PTI reportedldquoThe terrorist attack was the result of a major security lapse This must be enquired into and responsibility fixed so that remedial measures are takenrdquo the statement saidThe Polit Bureau further condemned the hate campaign targeting Muslims and Kashmiris on social media along with reported attacks on individualsWhile acknowledging the governmentrsquos diplomatic steps aimed at curbing terrorism emanating from Pakistan the CPIM said efforts must be focused on identifying those directly responsible for the attack and their handlersFirst statement by the new CPIM Polit Bureau which held its meeting on May 3 pictwittercomYjVl5wB4rMmdash CPI M cpimspeak May 4 2025Centre should weigh in if military response will deter crossborder terrorism CPI M ldquoThe matter should be taken up with the Financial Action Task Force FATF for suitable intervention The government should seriously weigh whether a military response will serve the purpose of curbing crossborder terrorism and act as a deterrentrdquo it addedThe party praised the people of Kashmir for condemning the attack and holding protests calling it ldquothe most significant eventrdquo It noted that the valley observed a shutdown in responseldquoIt is this popular sentiment which must be built upon to isolate the terrorist elements in Jammu and Kashmir No measures should be taken such as the demolition of houses of terrorists which affects innocent families and alienates peoplerdquo the CPIM cautionedThe statement also addressed the growing communal tensions following the enactment of the Waqf Amendment Act by the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPled Central government The CPIM alleged that Muslim properties were being selectively targeted and accused the BJP of using the legislation to further religious polarisation reported PTIThe party pointed to remarks by ruling party leaders about extending scrutiny to Churchowned properties and said ldquoThe real intention appears to be the appropriation of assets belonging to all minority communities thereby undermining their constitutionally guaranteed rights and protectionsrdquoIt also warned that the situation was being exploited by Muslim extremist groups which in turn played into the hands of ldquoHindutva communal forcesrdquolsquoOperation Kagar has created fear among adivasis in Chhattisgarhrsquo On domestic policy the Polit Bureau welcomed the Centrersquos decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming general census calling it a ldquopositive decisionrdquo However it criticised the lack of clarity on the modalities and demanded that the Centre announce a timeline for conducting the longpending censusThe CPIM also strongly criticised Operation Kagar the Centrersquos offensive against Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh and said that it had created a climate of fear among AdivasisldquoThe Maoists have proposed a dialogue with the government The lives of innocent Adivasis must not be lost in the crossfire The government should accept the offer of peace talks as the issue cannot be resolved solely through the use of armsrdquo the party statedOn the Bihar Assembly Elections likely to be held by the end of the year the party said that it has begun its preparations and is already in talks with the allies in the Mahagathbandhan coalitionWith PTI inputsatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params