Stop Parochial Attacks

Date: 
Monday, November 17, 2003

Press Statement

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

                                                            Stop Parochial Attacks

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the shameful incidents of attacks on railway passengers from the North-East travelling through Bihar and the attacks in retaliation on Bihari and Hindi-speaking people in some parts of Assam. The chain of events which began with the objections to people from outside sitting for the entrance examination for railway posts in Guwahati has degenerated into violent attacks on innocent people of different communities.

It is tragic that the issue of unemployment which affects people of all communities and all regions is now being sought to pit one against the other. The Bihar and Assam state governments have to firmly put down all violent and unlawful activities in this regard. The Central government was tardy in acting promptly when reports of attacks on trains occurred.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) appeals to all sections of people in Assam and Bihar to oppose all fratricidal and anti-social acts which will disrupt social harmony and the livelihood of ordinary people.