(The following memorandum was submitted by the leaders of the four constituents of All India Left Coordination on 12 August. Ed/.)

To

The Hon'ble President,

Union of India

Respected Madam,

We the undersigned are deeply disturbed by the situation in the Kashmir Valley, where scores of young people have lost their lives in firing by security forces on street protests. Reports suggest that around 50 people have lost their lives in this manner in the past two months. It may be noted that the street protests this time around started with demonstrations against the fake encounter of three civilians at Macchil. Since then the street protests with the visible participation of women and youth have gained momentum with every instance of killing of people, especially children and teenagers, due to tear-gassing or firing by security forces.

What is even more disturbing is the refusal by the Government of India to concede the legitimacy of the protests by Kashmiri people. Instead, attempts have been made to suggest that the protests are all orchestrated by militants or anti-nationals. The death of young people in police firing usually witness popular anger and protest anywhere in the country. The Kashmiri people are exercising their natural democratic right to protest against excesses by security forces. The attempt to deny the legitimacy or authenticity of the protests, and the stubborn continuation of a policy of repression of mass demonstrations, are contributing to the alienation and anger of Kashmiri masses. Draconian laws like Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act AFSPA are emboldening security forces to commit crimes like fake encounters and killing of civilians.

The response from the Prime Minister of India too is wanting. In a long-delayed statement, he has promised various economic packages and on the key political question, has said that "autonomy can be considered if there is a consensus." It is clear that in Kashmir, economic packages cannot assuage the sense of alienation. It is only if justice is done in cases of fake encounters and such human rights violations, draconian laws like AFSPA scrapped, and the military shadow lifted from civilian life in the Valley can some measure of trust be built. As for the political question, we recall that former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao had after all said "the sky is the limit" as far as autonomy for Kashmir is concerned. It is necessary for the Government of India to come up with a credible political proposal of maximum autonomy without making 'consensus' any condition for such a proposal.

We appeal to your office to intervene to ensure that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act AFSPA is scrapped; moves taken to investigate cases of human rights violations and excesses of security forces and the guilty punished; and immediate measures taken towards a democratic political solution to the issue of Kashmir.

Dipankar Bhattacharya

General Secretary, CPI(ML)(Liberation)

Mangat Ram Pasla

Secretary, CPM Punjab

Bhimrao Bansode

Lal Nishan Party (Leninist) Maharashtra

M R Murali

Left Coordination Committee, Kerala