September 7, 2002

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the brutal murder of one of its leaders, Mohd. Ibrahim Dar, in Kashmir Valley by anti-national militants.

Mohd. Ibrahim Dar, age 45, resident of Mohammadpora village (Kulgam) was a CPI(M) activist for the last 20 years.   He had worked in various mass organisations, including youth and kisan.  He was a member of  Anantnag district committee  of the Party at the time of his death.   He was very popular in Kulgam tehsil.

On 5^th September 2002, he participated in a meeting of workers from Wachi (Pulwama) constituency upto 5 p.m., held at Behibagh, some 3 kilometers away from his home. On the same day, he conducted yet another meeting at Mohammadpora village upto 7.30 p.m.  A little after he reached his home, three persons in military uniform accompanied by another in civil dress, opened fire causing his instantaneous death and fled away. His funeral, the next day, saw the entire village turning up with tearful eyes. 

Mohd. Ibrahim Dar was a poor peasant with five minor children. He was the sole breadwinner of the family. The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) conveys its heartfelt condolences to his family members.

In view of his political activities, he needed security, for which several requests had been made to the police authorities, which went unheeded. 

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M), in the light of such attacks, demands  proper security arrangements be  provided  during this  entire election process in order to ensure that the lives are protected as well as confidence generated for people to participate in a big way.  Both the Central and state government must take necessary measures.