Mehbooba Mufti Pushes For Unilateral Ceasefire In Kashmir During Ramzan, Amarnath Yatra

In the backdrop of encounters and civilian killings in Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on 9 May pushed for a unilateral ceasefire for the duration of Ramzan, which begins mid-May, and the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in August. 

The decision was taken during an all-party meeting, where CM Mufti said the BJP-led NDA government would be approached with a request to halt operations of the security forces during these months.

“It was the unanimous decision of all during the All-Party Meeting that the central government should consider a unilateral ceasefire in Kashmir during Ramzan and Amarnath Yatra, so that common people get some relief from encounters and cordon-and-search operations,” the Chief Minister said.

This is the second time when a decision of unilateral ceasefire will be taken in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2002, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had announced a unilateral ceasefire in Kashmir in the month of Ramzan.

Speaking to Newsclick, renowned journalist Majid Hyderi said, “If we look at the end product of the previous ceasefire, there were no tangible results which could have contributed towards a solution to the Kashmir issue. There is a definite need for ceasefire with Kashmiri militants but it should be followed up with a result-oriented dialogue aimed at revival of sustainable peace in the region.”

While addressing the all-party meeting, Mehbooba Mufti said, “The delegation would approach the prime minister to appeal to him to consider the announcement of a unilateral ceasefire, as was done in 2000 during the prime ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the approaching holy month of Ramzan, Eid festival and the Amarnath Yatra.”

Will this ‘unilateral ceasefire’ end the ongoing cycle of bloodshed?

Acknowledging the previous failure, PDP leaders believe this is a step towards creating a soothing effect after a series of incidents of violence and bloodshed in the Valley in the recent past.

Speaking to Newsclick, PDP spokesperson Rafi Ahmed Mir said, “The previous ceasefire was not successful, but this ceasefire can create some soothing effect. There has been a lot of bloodshed lately. I believe this ceasefire is a positive step that will lessen the bloodshed in the valley. We cannot afford to lose more lives.”

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat’s statements are in sharp contrast to what the Chief Minister is saying.

In his interview with The Indian Express, the Army Chief on 9 May said, “Once a stone is thrown at us… once they fire at us… then there is no way we will not respond and respond sternly. Those who want to fight us, we will fight them.”

Talking about the statement made by Bipin Rawat, Mir said, “Bipin Rawat is a fighting force. Woh goli se hi baat karenge (He will only speak through his gun). He is not saying anything wrong. But we have realized that we have failed to achieve anything in the past 30 years. Two militants die and a few days later, new ones join the ranks. So, we just want to give unilateral ceasefire a chance. I am sure we will succeed this time.”