Ceasefire for Ramzan, peace gets another chance

Ceasefire for Ramzan, peace gets another chance
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 19: In a major initiative in Jammu and Kashmir, the Vajpayee government today announced suspension of combat operations against militants in the troubled State during the holy month of Ramzan beginning towards the end of this month.

The decision announced by the Prime Minister this evening was taken in consultation with the Cabinet Committee on Security Affairs which met yesterday. Also taken into confidence were J&K chief minister Farooq Abdullah who met Vajpayee today and the government's alliance partners.

In a statement, the prime minister hoped that the gesture ``will be fully appreciated and all violence in the State and infiltration across the Line of Control and the international border will cease and peace will prevail.''

Sources said that the move is also in response to feelers from some militant groups in the Valley. By way of confirmation, Defence Minister George Fernandes also said that certain suggestions had come from various quarters for a resolution of the Kashmir issue. ``The government now expects the other side to respect the ceasefire,'' he said.

To a question on starting a dialogue with the militant outfits, he said: `` Dialogue is always a two-sided affair... I don't know at the moment whether the other side wants a dialogue.'' Asked whether the ceasefire would be continued even after the month of Ramzan, he said that this would be decided later.

This is the first time since militancy was stepped up in the State over a decade ago that the government has made a unilateral move of this nature though in August this year it had declared a ceasefire in response to an offer for by the Hizbul Mujahideeen. This ceasefire though was shortlived as the key militant outfit demanded the involvement of Pakistan in the talks which the Indian government was not prepared to accept.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah welcomed the ceasefire announcement. ``I am happy about the decision and hope that the militants would also respond to the offer and end the violence in the Valley,'' he said.

The development comes on the eve of the winter session of Parliament during which the Vajpayee government will have to do a lot of explaining on its policy in Jammu and Kashmir. Though the Opposition parties have in the past welcomed any initiative for talks with the militants, the government's handling of the situation in the Valley has often come in for criticism.

Vajpayee said in his statement that ``the holy month of Ramzan, during which Prophet Mohammed exhorted one and all to live in peace and harmony, is soon approaching and the government has, therefore, instructed the security forces not to initiate combat operations against militants in Jammu and Kashmir during this pious month in the Islamic calendar.''

Recalling that during his visit to Srinagar in August he had underscored the need for resolving all issues in the spirit of ``insaniyat,'' he said that this was a sincere appeal for co-operation to end the long trail of violence which had inflicted misery on all sections of the State's population - Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs.

Vajpayee said that the events of the past two years had further emphasised India's credentials for peace. ``They have also once again proved beyond a shadow of doubt that India has both the resolve and capability to defeat any attempt to transgress India's security and challenge our national unity and integrity,'' he said.

The prime minister while observing that the terrorists were getting isolated in the State, had an indirect dig at Pakistan by saying that the ``entire world knows who is misusing the name of Islam to prolong the agony of the people of Jammu and kashmir.''