New Delhi, Jul 11 (IANS): The CPI-M on Monday denounced the "brutal repression" of protesters in Jammu and Kashmir leading to over 20 deaths and said those who shot dead stone-throwing youths must be punished.

"The brutal force used against protesters by the police and the armed forces that resulted in these unfortunate killings is condemnable," the Communist Party of India-Marxist said.

"The administration should desist from using such excessive force against the protesters. Those responsible for killing innocent unarmed protesters must be identified and punished," the CPI-M added.

Violence erupted on a large scale across the Kashmir Valley after security forces shot dead Burhan Wani, a top leader of the Hizbul Mujahideen, on Friday.

Expressing "grave concern" over the deteriorating situation in Kashmir, the CPI-M said over 25 people, mostly youth, have been killed and hundreds injured by security forces.

"The present growing unrest is also an expression of intense people's alienation, anger against the oppressive policies and killings of unarmed civilians by security forces," the CPI-M said.

"While the activities of the extremist groups need to be checked to maintain law and order and civilian rule, it cannot be an excuse for such use of force against stone-throwing protesters.

"Both the central government and the state government, in which the BJP is a coalition partner, must immediately initiate the political process of dialogue with all political forces and groups to end this growing strife
in the state and to restore peace and normalcy."

It also urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh to convene an all-party meeting immediately to discuss the Kashmir situation.