CPI-M to observe 'black day' when India-US n-deal signed

Raipur, Sep 28 (IANS) Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat said Sunday his party would observe the day on which the India-US civil nuclear deal is signed as a 'black day'.

'The treaty is expected to be signed in New Delhi soon. We will observe the day as a black day across the nation,' Karat told newsmen here, reiterating his party's stand that the deal was not in country's interests.

Referring to recent terror attacks in several states and in the national capital, the communist leader said: 'The attacks were mainly because of a weak intelligence set up. It must be strengthened to curb terrorism.'

He lashed out at Chhattisgarh government backed civil militia movement Salwa Judum, launched in June 2005 against Maoist insurgents in the state's southern revolt-hit mineral rich and forested Bastar region.

'Salwa Judum is not the solution to insurgency. Only the social and economic development in revolt-hit pockets can improve situation,' Karat said, suggesting 'the co-ordination among Maoist-hit states can also be handy'.