Government of India announces Ramadan Ceasefire in Kashmir

New Delhi, May 16 (KNB): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday told Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti that her request of a ceasefire during Ramzan has been accepted saying it is important to isolate the forces that bring a bad name to Islam by resorting to mindless violence and terror.
“The Centre asks Security Forces not to launch operations in Jammu & Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. The 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,” Tweets 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.
“Government expects everyone to cooperate in this initiative and help the Muslim brothers & sisters to observe Ramazan peacefully and without any difficulties.”



The announcement comes after a week; all-party meeting chaired by J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti unanimously urged the Centre to announce a unilateral ceasefire in the Valley during the holy month of Ramadan and Amarnath yatra. Although the BJP later disassociated itself from the “ceasefire call” and said only a handful of members raised this demand.
Pertinently, behind the scene, Mehbooba has been pressing central leaders to call for a unilateral ceasefire in the Valley to give people a breather from the Combing and Search Operations (CASO) and anti-militancy operations. PDP argues that the killings of militants and civilians set in process a cycle of killings, resulting in more youth taking up arms. South Kashmir is the PDP bastion and the problem for the party is that the region has become an epicenter of militancy. (KNB)