"War, terror, escalation, not solutions": CPI(M)'s Tarigami advocates for democratic process to solve conflicts

India Gazette

12-06-2025

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 12 (ANI): Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) MLA Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami strongly advocated for a solution to conflicts that remains rooted in 'democratic processes' instead of 'war and terror'.
Expressing regrets over the situation in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the recently concluded conflict between India and Pakistan, the CPI(M) leader argued that the farms were destroyed on both sides of the border, affecting the livelihood of all who rely on farming and its produce.
'What happened here in Poonch happened across the border as well. The farms were destroyed on this side and the other side of the border as well. I am not advocating for anyone. I mean to say that escalation is not a solution. War is not a solution. Terror is not a solution. The solution is democratic process,' Tarigami, the lone communist leader of Kashmir and five-times MLA from Kulgam, told ANI.
His remarks come after a delegation led by CPI(M) visited Uri in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district earlier to meet people affected by shelling by Pakistan.
'People of J&K participated in the democratic process after seven years. They got the chance and seized it. I want to appeal to the government of India to accept the mandate of the people,' he added.
CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby expressed reservations over the compensation amount of Rs 1.3 lakh given to the affected residents.
'The situation here is highly distressing, as you would have seen with the drone and shelling attacks. The government has only given Rs 1.3 lakh as compensation, which these days cannot even buy a proper door and window. This is highly deplorable, and we strongly disagree with the government's attitude. The democratic process has been destroyed here. Omar Abdullah is the Chief Minister; this is a Union Territory, and Modi and Amit Shah are controlling everything. We heard that the review meeting conducted with the Lieutenant Governor excluded the Chief Minister,' he said.
He further addressed the plight of the people affected by shelling, saying, 'An eight-member family has been given a small room--this attitude of the government needs to change. We, MPs from West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and other corners of ... came here to raise the plight of people in border areas. We demanded a special session to discuss it, but the Prime Minister refused. He didn't even attend the all-party meeting, only giving lectures here and there.'
The visit followed shelling by Pakistan in the civilian areas of Jammu and Kashmir post Operation Sindoor, which was conducted on May 7. The operation was conducted in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, including a Nepalese national. (ANI)