The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep concern and anguish over the communal violence which has engulfed North East Delhi in the past three days. 20 people have lost their lives and hundreds injured due to attacks by gangs of men who were bent upon creating communal clashes. That many of those who have died and were injured suffered gunshot wounds indicates the role of anti-social and criminal elements. Shops, markets and houses have been set on fire and the rioters were able to indulge in arson with impunity.
Despite the attacks and violence erupting on Monday morning (February 24), till now the police have been unable to bring the situation under control. Instead, the violence spread to new areas. The role of the police has been truly shocking. In some instances, they were found to be standing by without intervening and in many other instances, the police were seen conniving and helping the mobs.
The failure of the police is so glaring that even the Supreme Court has today observed the lack of independence and professionalism in the police with reference to the riots. The Delhi High Court too expressed its disapproval. The Central Home Ministry is directly responsible for the Delhi police. The Home Minister, Amit Shah, has sought to evade the nature of the planned violence by calling it spontaneous.
There is nothing spontaneous about the violence. On Sunday (February 23), a local BJP leader, Kapil Mishra, made a provocative speech in the presence of a senior police officer at Jaffarabad, threatening to remove anti-CAA protestors. Yet, the police was unprepared to meet the situation.
The only way confidence can be restored among the people and strict action taken against miscreants is to call in the army to aid the civilian authority.
The Polit Bureau demands that adequate compensation be paid to the families of all those who have lost their lives; compensation should be provided to those injured too.
The Polit Bureau appeals to all sections of the people to maintain calm and peace. The Party will join hands with all peace-loving forces to organize peace marches and relief and rehabilitation activities.