CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami asks India, Pakistan to de-escalate border tensions

Expressing concern over the renewed border skirmishes between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir state secretary of CPI (M) Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today asked the two countries to cease the hostilities and de-escalate tensions immediately.

"It is most unfortunate that the two neighboring countries that have a number of challenges in common such as like poverty, hunger, diseases, unemployment, economic backwardness and rehabilitation of flood victims are always seen indulging in accusations and counter accusations against each other.

"Time has come when both the countries must resolve their bilateral disputes amicably and without any commotion on the borders," Tarigami said in a statement.

The Communist leader expressed grief on the deaths of innocent civilians due to shelling across the border and exhibited solidarity with the thousands of displaced families.

Tarigami said the border skirmishes -- whoever is to blame and whatever the causes -- risk the prosperity and security of two countries that have far more in common than the areas of suspicion and discard.

"The incidents of skirmishes and hostilities along the border derail the efforts leading towards formation of a better understanding and amity between the two neighboring countries," he added.

The tragedy of the fragile relations between India and Pakistan is that the painstaking progress for peace at different levels can be overturned in an instant by a single incident of violence, he said.

He said it has become imperative in the interests of entire region that the leadership of the two countries must rise to the occasion and ensure cessation of hostilities across the border.