Mehbooba appeals to Centre for ceasefire during Ramzan

Mehbooba also urged militants to stop their attacks on security forces during the holy month so that people of Kashmir can hold peaceful prayers throughout the month.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday appealed to the central government to announce a ceasefire and stop crackdown and search operations during Ramzan, which starts from next week.

While addressing mediapersons here, Mehbooba said,“Ramadan is approaching. People pray day and night and go to mosques.(HT Photo)

Mehbooba also urged militants to stop their attacks on security forces during the holy month so that people of Kashmir can hold peaceful prayers throughout the month.

Last year, the Union home ministry had announced ceasefire in Kashmir ahead of Ramzan, however, the month witnessed spike in militant attacks. Despite requests from the then chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, who was also heading the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government, search operations against militants were resumed soon after the Ramzan ended as the Centre refused to extend the ceasefire.

While addressing mediapersons here, Mehbooba said,“Ramadan is approaching. People pray day and night and go to mosques.

I would like to appeal to the government of India that just like a ceasefire was put in place during Ramazan last year, crackdowns and search operations should be stopped, so that people of Jammu and Kashmir spend at least this one month in relief.”

“I would also like to appeal to the militants that Ramazan is a month of worship and prayers. They should not make any attacks during this time,” she added.

“This time people are facing lot of troubles and hardships. At places where there should have been a single checking point, several checking points have been setup. The life of Kashmiri people has been made hell by the government.’’ she said.

Mehbooba said if the government wants to keep Kashmir, then they should give due respect to the people.

“The government should consider the feelings of people of Kashmir and announce ceasefire. Modi ji has always been repeating that he believes in ideology and follows ‘insaniyat’ and democracy of Vajpayee ji. For the testimony, the government of India should announce ceasefire,’’ she said.

Criticising the NDA government, Mehbooba said that they have made “Jammu and Kashmir a ‘jung ka akhada’, where the Centre is at war with its own people.” “Whether its ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, JKLF, stopping cross LoC trade on Srinagar-Muzuffarabad road and the closure of national highway for two days. The government of India wants to break the backbone of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the garb of militancy. They want to completely end our economy,” she said.