By Ovais Gull
Srinagar: In the aftermath of tense situation in Jammu following Lehtpora attack on Thursday, CPI (M) leader and former MLA Kulgam, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami Saturday blamed fringe elements for communalizing and polarizing the situation in winter capital of the State.
He also appealed people of Jammu not to allow these fringe elements to succeed in deepen the wedge between people of Kashmir and rest of India.
Addressing a news conference here at his Gupkar residence, Tarigami said there is need to main communal harmony and brotherhood for which Jammu and Kashmir is known. “Violence can’t yield any results but can only benefit the fringe elements,” he said, adding that “Let us not allow those, who want to deepen the wedge between people of Kashmir and rest of the country, succeed,” he added.
He added people living in both the divisions including Jammu and Kashmir must stand united at this juncture so that fringe elements are not benefitted. “Let me tell you, people of Jammu don’t support the prevailing situation but the situation was created by fringe elements to get benefitted,” he added.
“We appreciate the role of JCCI and civil society groups of Jammu, who have clearly taken a stand against vandalism in Jammu by some fringe elements on Friday. By targeting minority community, fringe elements were vitiating peaceful atmosphere and unity of the state,” he said.
He said Governor’s administration must fix responsibility over the torching of vehicles of a particular community and vandalism in Jammu city on Friday. “Despite apprehensions about flare-up, authorities should have ensured adequate deployment of forces in the sensitive locations of Jammu,” he added.
Reacting over the Lethpora attack, Tarigami said “the attack on CRPF convoy at Awantipora on Thursday has shaken all those who are concerned about human lives and peace in the region. The loss of so many security personnel while on duty is being mourned across the country. We share the grief and sorrow of victim families of this attack.”
“CPI (M) has been consistently of this opinion that for addressing the legitimate concerns and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, a meaningful and credible dialogue process is the only option. Such acts, like Pulwama, only amount to delegitimising genuine and democratic aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
“We appeal to different political shades of the state, civil society and media to use their influences to maintain harmony and brotherhood in the state despite provocations from fringe elements,” he said, adding that “we appeal to the political leadership of the country that at this crucial juncture, they must not allow the disruptive and divisive elements to divide the communities under the garb of this tragedy.”
People of Kashmir expect the leadership, both in the government and in the opposition, civil society and intelligentsia to play their role to maintain communal harmony and safeguard the lives and property of Kashmiris outside the Valley, he said.
