Take confidence building steps in Kashmir: CPI-M

New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) The CPI-M on Monday urged the government to begin taking confidence building measures and start the political process in Jammu and Kashmir.

The central government had given assurances to this effect but did not follow it up, the Communist Party of India-Marxist said in a statement.

"This is contributing to the further alienation of the people of the state," it said. "Unless this is done, both our security personnel and innocent civilians will continue to pay the price with their lives."

The statement came a day after widespread protests led to 7.14 per cent turnout in the Srinagar parliamentary seat.

"The miserably low turnout in the bye-election reduces the electoral process to a total farce. Further, it displays the deep degree of alienation of the people in Jammu and Kashmir."

The CPI-M said the country's internal security and sovereignty can only be strengthened by the involvement of the people.

"This in turn can only happen through a political process which was agreed to by this BJP government," it said.

"This process was to be through both confidence building measures and the initiatives for a comprehensive political dialogue with all stakeholders."

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