The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India (CPI) issued the following statement today (June 17, 2020):

The Communist Party of India (CPI) expresses its deep condolences to the families of officer and jawans, who sacrificed their lives in protecting our borders on the night of 15^th June. Their sacrifice will be remembered by our country forever and the best way to respect their martyrdom will be to end this stand-off through peaceful means.

Since yesterday many painful developments have taken place along the Line of Actual Control. India lost 20 soldiers and officers. It is not clear how many casualties are there on both the sides. When the negotiations between the two countries are on, yesterday’s clash was unwarranted. The situation demands a mutually acceptable solution to the stand-off between both the countries. Efforts should be to overcome the present conflict through dialogue between the two countries at appropriate levels. The ‘status quo’ must be maintained, which has been respected by both countries at Line of Actual Control for so long.

The CPI hopes that the leaderships of both the countries will take initiative to find a peaceful resolution of the problem at the earliest.

The CPI is of the view that the government must convene an all-Party meeting and explain the situation at this critical time so that the people remain united in defence of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. The government should take the political parties and people into confidence.

S/d

(Roykutty)

Office Secretary