By IRNA
New Delhi : While condemning the “repression” in Myanmar in which around 13 people were killed, the Communist Party of India (CPI) on Saturday urged the government to come out openly against the ‘repression’ of democratic forces by the military junta of Myanmar.
It should press for the restoration of democracy there along with the release of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
The CPI condemned the killings and ‘repression’ let loose on innocent and unarmed people.
Deploring the killing of a Japanese photographer while recording the agitation, it described as shameful the fact that the military junta had failed to honour the people’s verdict of 1988.
Expressing solidarity with the ‘just struggle’ of the people of Myanmar for restoration of democracy, the CPI has urged the Indian government “to come out openly” and demand the military junta to stop ‘repression and restore democracy. It said the Myanmar government (should) cease ‘repression’ and initiate talks for a democratic transition.
The former prime minister, Inder Kumar Gujral, and National Democratic Alliance convener George Fernandes said in a signed statement that they would lead a citizen’s march in “solidarity for democracy in Myanmar” on Monday.
They invited all citizens – “irrespective of affiliation” – to join the march at Jantar Mantar on Monday.
It was being planned to exert pressure on the government to “act with courage in support of rapid restoration of democracy in Myanmar.” According to the two leaders, the “desperate situation” in Myanmar deserves a resounding response from lovers of democracy, its neighbours and friends.
“The people of India must raise their voice in solidarity with the valiant monks and citizens of Myanmar against the military rule.” Meanwhile, the Congress party on Saturday deplored the violence unleashed on innocent monks and civilians in Myanmar.
The party said that “unilateral resort to violent means was most reprehensible and must be eschewed.”
Party Media Department Chairperson M. Veerappa Moily said the violence unleashed on monks and civilians had deeply saddened all those who have faith in peace, democracy and human rights. “The evolving situation in Myanmar is causing deep concern.”
Meanwhile, reports received from Rangoon said, Myanmar’s civil crisis seems to have no end. Security forces clamped down on anti- government protests with rubber bullets and baton-charges in the major cities of Yangon and Mandalay for the third day, taking the death- toll to 13.
Hundreds of agitating Buddhist monks have been arrested, a move that has caused uproar amongst the civilian population. The military regime has also snapped all forms of communication with the outside world so that no images of violence can be leaked out.