[Marxistindia] Violence in Capital - CPI(M) leaders' letter to Home Minister

[news from the cpi(m)]

February 25, 2020
Press Release
 
Smt. Brinda Karat, Member, Polit Bureau of CPI(M) and Shri K. M. Tewari,
Secretary, Delhi State Committee of CPI(M) have written the following letter
to Shri Amit Shah, Minister for Home Affairs, Government of India on the
serious situation in Delhi.  We are herewith releasing the text of the
letter for publication.
 
***
 
Dear Shri Amit Shah ji,
 
The tragic death of a police constable and the deaths of six citizens in the
shocking incidents of violence in the Capital are of deep concern. We
strongly condemn those responsible for the death of the police constable and
for the violence in Delhi. The Delhi police and related agencies are under
the control of your Ministry and therefore we are addressing this letter to
you. We have requested your office for an appointment so that we can share
our concerns.
 
The protests against the CAA led mainly by women have been peaceful. For the
last two months there have been no incidents of violence in Delhi except
those incidents of firing at the protesters by men who were incited to
violence by a Minister in the Central Government. This should have alerted
the police and intelligence agencies to efforts being made by certain
elements to disrupt the peaceful protests and give a communal colour to
them. 
 
However, either intelligence agencies failed or their reports were ignored. 
 
On Sunday, a BJP leader Kapil Mishra had openly given a call for forcibly
removing the protesters from various sites. Detailed reports and video
images are available of the highly provocative and communal slogans given by
groups of men armed with lathis and bricks in the areas surrounding the
protest sites. A journalist's account is graphic evidence of the communal
nature of the mobilization by groups to disrupt and attack the protest
sites. This has led to violent clashes and retaliatory violence. The image
of a man waving a revolver at a police personnel and then firing, later
identified as one Shahrukh also shows the involvement of criminal elements
in the retaliation. 
 
It is also shocking that as shown in video images, one section of the police
force acted in the most unprofessional manner joining a mob pelting stones.
Strong action must be taken against them as the credibility of the Delhi
police of being an impartial force has been severely dented.
 
The main need now is for an impartial and just intervention to ensure peace
in the Capital. As Home Minister, people of the Capital hoped that you would
make an immediate intervention for peace and were disappointed that your
appeal for peace came after a delay of a day and a half. 
 
We also request to you to follow up your appeal by also ensuring that
political forces under your influence will heed the need for peace. Your
intervention for peace will allay apprehensions among the public that the
incidents of the last two days are "Badla" against people of Delhi for
election results.  In this context action against Kapil Mishra will bring
confidence to the people that you are indeed taking impartial steps for
peace and against troublemakers.  All those involved in spreading hatred and
violence, regardless of their political connections and colour should be
arrested. 
 
We also request you to ensure that no troublemakers from outside Delhi are
allowed to enter the Capital. 
 
We also have appealed to our workers and supporters to work for peace in the
Capital and assure you that we will cooperate in all respects to restore
peace and ensure communal harmony in the Capital of India. 
 
Thanking you,
 
Yours sincerely,
Sd/-                                                             
(Brinda Karat)                                          
Member, Polit Bureau, CPI(M)                            
 
Sd/-                                          
(K. M. Tewari)
Secretary, Delhi State Committee, CPI(M)
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