CPI(ML) ask to commute Afzal's death sentence

New Delhi, Oct 23: The Communist Party of India (Maoist) today sought the government commute the death sentence awarded to Mohammad Afzal Guru claiming that there was ''no direct evidence of his involvement'' in the December 13 Parliament attack case and the death sentence was awarded on ''sheer circumstantial evidence''.

''The execution of Afzal would further complicate the Kashmir problem besides casting aspersions on the secular character of the Indian State,'' alleged party spokesman Azad, in a statement here.

''As Kashmir bleeds in agony, the State has decided to add salt to the festering wound by conspiring to send Afzal to the gallows,'' he added.

''We ask the government not only to repeal the death sentence to Afzal, but also to withdraw all security forces who are creating insecurity in Kashmir and also punish all officials responsible for commiting atrocities on the people of Kashmir,'' the statement said.

The party also demanded the release of its Central Committee member Shobha alias Budhni Munda, who was arrested in a joint operation by the Jharkhand and Orissa Police on October 7.

UNI

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