Press Statement
On Withdrawal of Security for Com. Surjeet
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses concern at the reported decision of the Union government to withdraw the Z plus security cover for its General Secretary, Harkishan Singh Surjeet. It is learnt that the Union Home Ministry has decided to provide minimal security after a review.
It is well known that the CPI(M) have conducted a firm struggle against the Khalistani extremists in Punjab. Over 200 leaders and cadres of the Party were killed by the extremists in Punjab. Comrade Surjeet has been in the forefront of the struggle against such disruptive forces. Further, since the fifties, Com. Surjeet has been associated with the struggle to defend national unity in Kashmir. The political situation both in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir do not warrant any complacence. As the General Secretary of the CPI(M), Com. Surjeet has to travel widely all over the country and the withdrawal of the security provided to him at present is inadvisable.
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) urges the Government of India to reconsider its decision in this regard.