Farzana Mumtaz
In a big step forward the government of India announcing Ramadan ceasefire on the beginning of this holy month of fasting the pain hit people of Kashmir have expressed hope that the move of central government will bring calm, peace and prosperity in region.
Pertinently, the central government on Wednesday asked security forces not to launch operations in Jammu & Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. “The Centre asks Security Forces not to launch operations in Jammu & Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. Decision taken to help the peace loving Muslims observes Ramzan in a peaceful environment. HM Shri @rajnathsingh has informed the Chief Minister, J&K of Centre’s decision,” Tweeted Home Ministry of India, however, made it clear security Forces to reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people
Majority of the voices in unison are applauding the move and hoping that ugly cycle of bloodshed and violence that has badly impacted Kashmir will come top end.
While applauding the ceasefire move of Centre the PDP senior leader Sartaj Madni has appreciated the move as historic and called on all parties to honour.
While talking to the News Kashmir, he stated -” Holy month of Ramadan is month of blessings and mercy. We hope for constructive progress achieved via this historic annoucement. We have seen enough of bloodshed and destruction and this is welcome breather for all of us. ”
Sartaj Madni hoped that this ceasefire will set a constructive precdence and be a good omen for one and all.
He stated that such steps prove conducive for peace building.
Inam un Nabi, Political analyst while talking to the News Kashmir started – “On Face value the offer of truce and ceasefire looks quite good and will offer some reprieve from bloodshed but we needed to have a far better ground work in order to have more far reaching and positive impacts and effects out of ceasefire, the absence of same Is making many say that this is half hearted and cosmetic measure. We all pray for peace and end to bloodshed but for that to happen effective ground work and series of confidence building measures to address the political issue of Kashmir need to be taken not just token measures.”
On the otherhand, the decision is also seen as an important victory of efforts of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. CM Tweeted “I wholeheartedly welcome the Ramadan ceasefire & would like to thank @narendramodi ji & @rajnathsingh ji for their personal intervention. My gratitude also to the leaders & parties who participated in the All Party Meeting & helped build consensus towards this announcement.”
With fingers crossed all rational voices are hoping that ceasefire holds and becomes harbinger of peace and prosperity in troubled Kashmir valley.