Srinagar, Feb 13: Jammu and Kashmir unit of CPI (M) Wednesday demanded that mortal remains of Muhammad Afzal Guru be handed over to his family, even as it termed the execution of the Parliament attack convict as “indecent.” “It is unfortunate that the family of Guru was not informed prior to his execution well in time and the burial was carried out in a hush-hush manner. We demand the body of Guru be returned to his family for his last rites,” state secretary of CPI(M) M Y Tarigami said in a statement here.
Tarigami alleged that the execution of Guru had shown New Delhi is continuing with its flawed policy of denial of justice for the people in Kashmir. “There is a general grouse among the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the central government has always treated them differently at all levels of legal nitty-gritties. The way execution of Guru was carried out has vindicated the apprehensions of people,” he said.
Tarigami said the process of execution of Guru was "indecent" and the act has "left bare the mindset at New Delhi that could not hold basic decency of a democratic set-up and legal requirements in dealing with an issue full of serious political ramifications for Jammu and Kashmir". "The execution of Guru has been carried out keeping narrow interests in consideration and the sensitivities of Jammu and Kashmir have not been paid a heed before finalising the decision," he said.
There are apprehensions that the execution may encourage tendencies which are not supportive of the peace process cultivated after huge efforts and investment, he said, adding, the party in principle stands against capital punishment and it had been a consistent demand to commute death sentence of Guru into life imprisonment.  The CPI(M) leader said the act is bound to increase alienation among Kashmiris, especially the younger generation. “The episode has further added to the already considerable trust deficit between the state and rest of the country, which we hope would be realised by all shades of opinion in the country to apply a course correction in its approach to Jammu and Kashmir. For this, the country must take some concrete confidence building measures to reduce estrangement and the increasing trust deficit. It is our firm belief that the alienation and anger is a breeding ground for extremism," he said. Condoling the loss of life in firing incidents at different places in the Valley, Tarigami asked the state government to probe the incidents which led to the death of three people. “Any further causality, we believe will have a ripple effect and the situation can turn into a major law and order problem," he said.
He also expressed concern over reports of non-availability of medicine in hospitals especially in rural areas, besides food items, fuel and LPG.
The state government must take steps to ensure treatment of people who got injured at different places in Kashmir and also ensure availability of medicine and other necessary items in the hospitals across the Valley, he said.
Tarigami also condemned curbs on media, saying there should be no curbs on media personnel in conducting their professional duties. 

Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST