Tarigami accuses communal forces of trying to divide J

New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Top Communist leader of Jammu and Kashmir Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, who met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the present political crisis, today accused communal forces of trying to divide the restive state on sectarian lines for their "narrow electoral gains".

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Tarigami said the Bharatiya Janata Party must act in a responsible manner and desist from using the present situation for petty political gains.

He urged the Prime Minister to personally intervene and hold talks with Sri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti and separatist leaders so that the issue is resolved as per the aspirations of both the regions."Intiative to resolve the crisis is urgently required. If their is any delay, it is bound to destroy the social fabric of the state".

The CPM leader also met leaders of Left parties as well as the BJP and apprised them of the latest political crisis in the state.

The Prime Minister had held a series of consultations with a number of political leaders and social activists, besides intellectuals, to seek their views on ending the present turmoil in the state. He met Congress leader Saifuddin Soz, former Union Minister Ram Jethmalani, noted journalist Prem Shankar Jha, Panthers Party Chief Bhim Singh, Congress leader Ashok Bhan and several others.

Prof Tarigami said recent developments have necessitated fulfilling of some legitimate demands, including reduction of troops, release of prisoners and opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad, Poonch-Rawlakote and Jammu-Sialkot roads for trade. There is also a need for greater people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan, UNI SMA RP AS1647