Lanka Govt. should take cease hostilities: CPI-M

New Delhi, Apr 25 (ANI): The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has asserted that the Sri Lankan Government should take the initiative to cease hostilities and ensure the safety of innocent Tamil civilians.

Karat said that situation in the island nation is not feasible either for an agreement or a ceasefire, and as such the Rajpaksa Government should take the initiative to cease hostilities.

"We are asking the Sri Lankan Government to cease hostilities. They do not have to wait for an agreement," Karat said on Friday.

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon have returned to New Delhi after meeting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to urge a truce in the closing chapter of a 25-year war in which the UN data showed that nearly 6,500 civilians have been killed in the last three months.

Karat also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for changing its stand on the India-United States civil nuclear deal

"After taking a categorical position that the 123 agreement based on the Hyde act passed by the US Congress is not acceptable to India. It should be renegotiated. Why is it that they have changed their stand? Is it because they are not able to give in on the question of vital national issue? They are not able to take a stand against United States of America?" he said.

BJP leaders had earlier said that they would renegotiate the deal if re-elected to power, but later they said that it would be difficult to negate the deal between the two countries.

Karat further said the Communists should not be seen in isolation by asserting all are together and would take all decision in consensus. He mentioned this in the context of the Third Front mooted by the Left prior to the commencement of elections.

"Don't try to isolate the Left from our allies. Whatever decision we will take, we will be taken in consultation with the Telugu Desam, The Biju Janata Dal, the AIADMK, the Janata Dal (Secular) and others," Karat added. (ANI)