The following is the statement issued by the Jammu and Kashmir state committee on January 17. THE J&K state committee of the CPI(M) expresses its dismay over much-politicised debate regarding West Pakistan refugees’ issue and has urged the public and political leadership to resist the attempts of the vested interest to use the issue for regional and religious polarisation. The issue needs a holistic approach which should consider political, constitutional and human aspects of the issue. While attempts to infringe upon the constitutional and legal structure of the state have to be resisted, the basic human rights of the refugees have to be safeguarded. While the refugees of all races and religions deserve all possible support for living a dignified life, it has to be kept in mind that genuine and lawful interests and aspirations of the state should in no way be affected. Attempts by certain communal groups who are trying to implement their sectarian agenda in the garb of settlement of refugees, have to be defeated. These groups are hell-bent to demolish the secular character of the state and always remain on a look-out to cash in on the sufferings of the people. CPI(M) cautions the union BJP government not to advance its agenda of polarising Jammu and Kashmir further. It is bound to have serious implications. CPI(M) appeals all the political shades of the state not to allow divisions among the ranks of the people of the state and unitedly resist nefarious mechanisations of those who are desperate to divide our people with one pretext or other. CPI(M) firmly believes that the refugee issue demands a humanistic approach while the constitutional and the legal frame of the state should not be allowed to get undermined.