19 February 2007

Press Statement

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

On Blast in the Samjhauta Express

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) has strongly condemned  the  blast  in the Samjhauta Express. Around midnight, the Samjhauta Express which plies between  Delhi and Attari in Pakistan, two bogies caught fire while passing Deewana railway station near Panipat.  In all, 54 deaths  have been confirmed so far including those of  three RPF personnel.  Preliminary  enquiries  have  revealed existence of  two  IEDs in the affected bogies while  another two, kept in suitcases were found in two other bogies.  A large number of those who have died  in this tragic incident  are Pakistani citizens. 

It is clear from the circumstances that the blast  in the Samjhauta Express  is the handiwork of  forces  aiming to derail the  peaceful dialogue process between India and Pakistan.  The incident has taken place a day ahead of  the visit of Pakistan Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri. 

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) condemns  this gruesome  incident  in the strongest terms  and demands  that the government  should  leave  no effort to  uncover  the  conspiracy  which  led to  this  tragedy.  The Polit Bureau condoles the death of the innocent victims and expressed its solidarity with the bereaved families.  Polit Bureau  also urges the government to take all care for the treatment of those who have been injured.  The kith and kin  of all those who have  died  should be  given adequate  compensation.  The Polit Bureau also urges the people to remain united  and  protest  this  heinous  action.