THE Jammu and Kashmir state committee of the CPI(M) in a statement issued on April 8 has said it is unfortunate that, what was a non-issue, has been allowed to gain monstrous proportions by misinterpretations, unnecessary media-hype and mere politicking. As is now clear the incident occurred in NIT Srinagar in the wake of India versus West Indies Cricket match, as a section of local students raised slogans which were objected to, by the non-locals.

What is our position on hydro-power generation vis-a-vis environment protection? Kindly explain. Abdul Ashraf, Kozhikode, Kerala HYDROELECTRIC power can be from run of the river projects that have very little, or no impoundment of water, or from dams that impound a large amount of water, and then use it for generating electricity. Run of the river projects have much lower environmental impact, even though the cumulative effects of a large number of run of the river projects on the same river could create significant impact.

BATTLE lines are drawn clearly. Ruling party in West Bengal is now facing growing resistance and determination by people.In the second day of polling on April 11, TMC stepped up their attacks in Paschim Midnapore, Bankura and Burdwan districts. Widespread violence and booth capturing took place in Keshpur. CPI(M) polling  agents were not allowed to sit in 110 booths from the beginning. They were forcefully evicted from most of the others after few hours. A woman polling agent was threatened public molestation and her home was attacked. This incident has been widely reported in media too.

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on April 10, 2016.

THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep shock and grief over the tragedy that occurred in a temple at Paravoor in Kollam district, Kerala. More than 100 people have died in the fire leaving behind a trail of injury and misery. All efforts must be made to mount rescue operations and provide proper medical relief, attention and rehabilitation to the victims.

The Polit Bureau conveys its deep condolences to the families of the victims.

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on April 12, 2016.THE Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is shocked by the manner in which the process of free and fair elections has been disrupted and undermined by miscreants backed by the ruling TMC in Bengal on the second day of polling,  that is April 11. The events of the second day of polling in West Bengal included attacks on the opposition, intimidation of voters through violence and denial of democratic rights to candidates by stopping their polling agents fr