Left for security to Indians in Afghanistan

New Delhi, May 1 (UNI) Condemning the ''barbaric killing'' of Indian engineer Suryanarayan by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Left parties today asked the government to take urgent steps to ensure security for all Indians working in the war-torn country.

Left leaders, who demanded adequate compensation to the bereaved family, said the government must not send Indian workers to Afghanistan unless foolproof securty arragements could be made for them there.

CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan, who termed the killing as a ''terrible incident'', said until the security environment improved for Indians there, they should not be sent to strife-torn Afghanistan.

Party National Secretary Shamim Faizi said the Congress-led coalition should realise that the majority of the people of Afghanistan are not supporters of the Taliban, but hated the occupation of their country by British and US forces.

''Before venturing into Afghanistan, the government should take positive measures to resolve the overall crisis there as per the wishes of the people of that country,'' Mr Faizi added.

Endorsing the CPI leaders' contention, CPI (M) Parliamentary Party leader in the Lok Sabha, Basudeb Achariya, said the Indian government should not send engineers, technicans and others into ''such a risky atmosphere''.

It is dangerous and simply risky to the lives of Indians employed there, he added.

UNI KSA/FZ RR PC1718