SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 12 Days ahead of a meeting in Havana between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pak President Pervez Musharraf, a meeting both have said is crucial to the next steps in the peace process, J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today sought a complete halt in militant violence on the eve of the holy month of Ramzan beginning September 25 and said the government would reciprocate. Azad’s statements suggest that a ceasefire in Kashmir, contingent on Islamabad taking action on militancy, could be on the Havana table.

“The time has come to openly declare stoppage of all kinds of violence, attacks on innocents, throwing of grenades, planting of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and resorting to harassment of people by militants,’’ Azad said in a statement late last night. “Keeping in view the holy month of Ramzan, people would appreciate it (the ceasefire),” Azad said, adding that the government would be happy to respond to a ceasefire, which ideally should extend beyond the Ramadan period as well.

Azad hoped that this (ceasefire) would not only help in the state’s progress and development but also provide an opportunity to the people to get rid of violence and misery forever. “Militants will also realise that peace is the demand of the people and gun culture has no relevance in any civilized society when matters can be sorted out on the table through dialogue in a peaceful atmosphere,’’ he said.

Although Azad did not mention the Havana meeting, his surprise announcement regarding the cessation of hostilities is seen as a way to test the waters before the Singh-Musharraf meeting. In fact, the first reaction here is positive and the criticism is limited to that section of the separatist and militant quarters that are pessimistic about the outcome of the Indo-Pak peace process itself.

Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the conglomerate “will welcome it (ceasefire) if it happens’’. He, however, reiterated Hurriyat’s stance that “we have nothing against a ceasefire but unless something is done to resolve the Kashmir issue, nothing will work’’. In fact, the silence of the Hizbul Mujahideen to react to Azad’s ceasefire appeal is seen as meaningful especially as this largest indigenous Kashmiri militant group is seen as the main protagonist holding the key to the success of any such plan. Unlike the usual urgency to react to any government appeal aimed at militants and separatist groups, the Hizbul is guarded this time indicating that the Pak establishment might have engaged its leadership to prepare ground for a ceasefire. The two major mainstream regional parties in Kashmir, ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as well as the opposition National Conference have been publicly supporting a ceasefire with militants. NC President Omar Abdullah openly demands that the government engage with Hizbul in direct talks.

“The ceasefire should not be seen as a sign of weakness for any party (in the dispute). And ceasefire cannot be one- sided,’’ said PDP president Mehbooba Mufti. “If a ceasefire is announced on humanitarian grounds then the other party too should respond positively. It should not become an issue of prestige’’.

The only statement rejecting the ceasefire appeal came from Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, a pro-Pak militant outfit. The organisation says that the militant groups have halted their activities as per a strategy and are unanimous on the decision to continue their activities.

On July, 24, 2000, Hizbul Operational Chief Majeed Dar announced a unilateral ceasefire halting all operations of the group across Kashmir. The then NDA government reciprocated by suspending all security force operations against the militants.

This ceasefire lasted for just eight days when Hizb’s Pak-based chief Syed Salahudin disassociated himself from Dar’s call.

On November 19 the same year, then prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee announced a unilateral ceasefire on the eve of the holy month of Ramzan. This move too didn’t bear any fruits as the militants as well as Pakistan refused to reciprocate. On November 25, 2003, Pakistan announced a ceasefire along the LoC which was reciprocated by the Centre. This is the only ceasefire which is successful and still on.

Rights panel in J&K: Situation better, but not good enough

SRINAGAR: Releasing its first report on J&K, international monitor Human Rights Watch said “though the rights situation in J&K has improved from what it was, say 10 years ago, it is not good enough”. Blaming militants and securitymen for the violations, the report Everyone Lives in Fear hit out at Pakistan, saying there was “considerable evidence” of its backing for militants.

Mail the author at muzamiljaleel@yahoo.com/ muzamil.jaleel@expressindia.com

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