'Wrong' reports given to Centre on Amarnath yatra threat: CPI

CPI today expressed surprise over the statements of Union Home Minister and Army Chief on threat to Amarnath Yatra and claimed that agencies operating in Jammu and Kashmir had given "wrong reports" to the Centre.
Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had recently said there is a terror threat to Amarnath yatra, and Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh had acknowledged it.
"There are agencies with vested interests working in Jammu and Kashmir. They give wrong reports to Prime Minister and (Union) Home Minister that militancy is strong here. We were surprised by such statements," member, National Executive, CPI, Syed Azeez Pasha told reporters here.

Pasha said the situation in Kashmir Valley is not as bad as is perceived to be.
"Militancy is not strong here. See the huge tourist rush. The tourists have no fear. We do not know what and how the threat is," he said.
He advocated for the revocation of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from the state.

Pasha was here to attend the meetings of Kashmir regional council of CPI and Jammu and Kashmir State Council of the party along with secretary, National Council, Shameem Faizee.
Faizee said the new government in Pakistan led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should take steps for the resumption of comprehensive dialogue with the government of India.

"The process of normalisation of ties between India and Pakistan should resume. More confidence building measures be taken up," he said.
Faizee said the "exploitation" of Jammu and Kashmir's resources by NHPC should be stopped and power projects be handed over to the state government.
He also expressed concern on growing unemployment in the state, saying "half-hearted" measures taken by the government will not solve the problem and demanded major recruitment drives to fill up vacant posts.
He said the state council of CPI has endorsed the call of the National Executive for a three-phased struggle against price rise, unemployment, atrocities against women and other such issues, which would culminate in courting arrest by its leaders on October 3 and 4.