CPI-M governments ''insensitive and callous'': BJP

New Delhi, May 5 (UNI) Taking note of the Kerala Court indicting State Health Minister P K Sreemathi for the death of at least 38 infants in the Sree Avittam Tirunal (SAT) Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, the BJP today criticised the 'insensitive and callous'' attitude of the CPI(M)-run governments in Kerala and West Bengal towards the concerns of the people.

In a statement, BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar, said the court strictures against brutal killings in Nandigram and the ''callous'' attitude of the Health Minister not only exposed the ''double speak'' of the CPI-M but also the hollowness about their claims of concern for the poor masses.

''It is an authoritarian party having scant regard for the judiciary and to the poor people's plight'' the BJP spokesman alleged, adding, ''We are extremely concerned about the tragic deaths of the infants in Kerala,'' Mr Javadekar said.

He said the Kerala Court has asked the police to book a case of culpable homicide against Mr Sreemathy and seven others under Sections 304 and 34 of the IPC only after a petition filed by BJP leader Pongumood Vikraman.

The Kerala government failed to act even after the issue was brought up before the Health Minister who flatly refused to own up the responsibility for the deaths. ''It betrays the heights of negligence, insensitivity and accountability of the Marxist government,'' the spokesman alleged.

In Kolkata, the High Court had observed that people of Nandigram were denied their fundamental rights to life and liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution while the Advocate General candidly conceded in the status report that the CPI-M cadre were ''directly involved'' in the killings, he said.

UNI