Expressing serious concern over the renewed border skirmishes between India and Pakistan, CPI (M) State Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami Friday underscored the need for cessation of hostilities and an immediate de-escalation.In a statement issued here, Tarigami expressed grief and sorrow on the death of over a dozen innocent civilians due to the shelling across the border and exhibited solidarity with the thousands of displaced families.“It is most unfortunate that the two neighboring countries that have a number of challenges like poverty, hunger, diseases, unemployment, economic backwardness and rehabilitation of flood victims in common 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 observed.
The CPI (M) leader said for the border skirmishes - whoever is to blame and whatever the causes, it risks 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 better understanding and amity between the two neighboring countries,” he stressed.Tarigami said 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 it has become imperative in the interests of entire region that the leadership of India and Pakistan must rise to the occasion and ensure cessation of hostilities across the border sooner the better.