CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar criticizes central govt for misleading claims on Kashmir peace, cites Pahalgam attack as proof of failure.
Former Tripura Chief Minister and senior CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar on Thursday launched a stinging critique of the central government’s security narrative in Jammu and Kashmir, following the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed at least 28 lives and left over 20 seriously injured earlier this week.
In a press statement issued in Agartala, Sarkar condemned the violence in the strongest terms and questioned the Centre’s repeated assertions that terrorism had been wiped out from Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. “This is not just misleading. It is dangerously misleading,” he said.
Calling the attack a “grave tragedy,” Sarkar said the bloodshed exposed the stark gap between the government’s public relations campaign and the ground reality of persistent insecurity in the Valley. “The Pahalgam attack is not only barbaric and inhumane—it is a painful reminder that terrorism still exists, and innocent lives are at risk every day,” he said.
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Tribute to Local Hero
Sarkar also paid tribute to Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local pony handler who was reportedly shot dead while trying to shield tourists from the assailants. “His courage in the face of terror reflects the humanity and bravery of the people of Kashmir. His sacrifice must not be forgotten,” Sarkar said, urging both the Centre and state administration to honor him posthumously.
|Also Read : CWC Demands Accountability After Pahalgam Terror Attack |
A Grim Reminder of Pulwama
Drawing a direct comparison with the Pulwama suicide bombing of 2019, where 40 CRPF jawans lost their lives, Sarkar said the government had then made grand promises of eliminating terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir. “Five years have passed since Pulwama. Back then, the government said this would never happen again. Yet we see attacks like these taking place—sometimes every month. If terrorism has truly been eradicated, how do these tragedies continue to occur?” he questioned.
‘False Propaganda and Real Danger’
Sarkar expressed concern that the Centre’s “overconfidence and premature declarations of victory” were not only deceptive but also endangering citizens and security personnel alike. “The propaganda of peace is putting lives at risk. The people of Kashmir, and tourists, are being caught in the crossfire of a false narrative,” he said.
The CPI(M) stalwart accused the government of manipulating national security concerns for political gain. “Abrogating Article 370 was projected as a historic success. But if we assess the situation honestly, we’ll see that people are more vulnerable now than ever before,” Sarkar asserted.
He pointed to the heightened military presence, frequent cordon and search operations, and ongoing militant recruitment as indicators that the Valley is far from returning to normalcy.
Call for Accountability and Support
The former CM also demanded a transparent investigation into the security lapses that allowed such an attack to occur in what is widely regarded as a high-security zone. “The culprits must be identified and brought to justice. But more importantly, we must question how and why this happened. Were there intelligence failures? Was there a breakdown in coordination?” he asked.
Sarkar urged the Centre to provide full compensation and long-term support to the families of the victims. “These families must not be left to fend for themselves in their hour of grief. The government has a responsibility—both moral and constitutional—to stand by them,” he said.
Warning Against Politicizing Security
In his concluding remarks, Sarkar warned the Union Government against politicizing national security and creating a false sense of peace for electoral purposes. “Security cannot be treated as a political slogan. Real peace comes from real solutions—not from silencing dissent or projecting imaginary success,” he said.
He called for a more transparent, accountable, and human-centric approach to addressing the Kashmir issue—one that respects democratic values and genuinely safeguards lives, rather than focusing solely on optics.
