“Mehbooba welcomes Centre’s announcement”
Hope all in Kashmir will reciprocate Centre’s peace move: BJP
Shadow Bureau
JAMMU, MAY 16:
In a major decision, the Centre today asked security forces not to launch operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan.
The decision has been taken to help the peace loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment, a home ministry spokesperson said.
Earlier, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has welcomed the Centre’s announcement of halting the security operations in Jammu & Kashmir during the holy month of Ramadhan which is about to start.
In a statement, the Chief Minister said the decision would go a long way in healing the wounds of people of the State’s people who have been suffering the tragedies and pain of violence and uncertainty for the past three decades or so. What best a time to go for this significant decision than the onset of holy month of Ramadhan which promotes values of patience, self-restraint and tolerance, she said in her statement adding that it would also provide the necessary breather to the people from the violence which they have been craving for so long.
Mehbooba Mufti thanked the Central Government particularly Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Home Minister, Rajnath Singh for making the momentous decision adding that this marks the beginning of listening to the accounts of agony of the State’s people by the country’s leadership and the policymakers which she has been requesting time and again.
The Chief Minister urged all groups to reciprocate positively to the gesture which is aimed at giving relief to the people of the State who have seen enough torment and tragedy.
Mehbooba Mufti also thanked all the political parties in the State which backed her idea of cessation of hostilities in one voice during the All Parties Meeting convened by her recently.
No operations by ….
The security forces, however, reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people, the ministry said.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has informed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of the central government’s decision.
“It is important to isolate the forces that bring a bad name to Islam by resorting to mindless violence and terror,” the spokesperson said.
The government expects everyone to cooperate in this initiative and help the Muslim brothers and sisters to observe Ramzan peacefully and without any difficulties, the spokesperson said.
The holy moth of Ramzan is likely to start tomorrow or Friday depending on the sighting of moon.
Meanwhile, The BJP today expressed hope that the Centre’s decision to stop operations of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir during Ramzan will be reciprocated by all in the valley.
“We welcome the prudent decision taken by Hon’ble PM and HM with a profound hope that this gesture will be reciprocated by one and all in the valley (and it) will witness peace during d holy month of Ramazan (sic),” BJP’s General Secretary Ram Madhav tweeted.
Madhav is the BJP’s pointsman for Jammu and Kashmir, where his party is a junior partner to the PDP in the government.
However, The suspension of operations against militants in Jammu and Kashmir during Ramzan is not a concession to extremists but an effort to create an environment free of terror and violence during the holy month, officials said today, while asserting there will be no lowering of guard.
The central government has been trying to create an environment free of terror and violence to enable Muslims to observe Ramzan in a peaceful manner and in a conducive environment so that terrorists do not exploit their religious sentiments, a home ministry official said, explaining the reason behind the government decision.
Motivated by this consideration, the government has issued instructions to the security forces and Army not to undertake offensive operations during Ramzan in Jammu and Kashmir, the official said.
However, if it is essential for protecting the life of the common people, the security forces will be compelled to take appropriate action. It is expected that all Muslim brothers and sisters who follow the true tenets of Islam will cooperate in ensuring the success of this initiative, the official said.
Earlier today, the Home Ministry in a major announcement said security forces will not launch any operations in Jammu and Kashmir during Ramzan, a move seen as a bid to bring peace in the restive valley.
“This is not a concession to militants. This is aimed at people not to have any difficulty during the holy month of Ramzan. All right-thinking people want peace, youngsters want education, good life. Hope militants will not make it difficult for people. There will be no lowering of guard during this period,” the official said.
The fasting month of Ramzan is likely to start tomorrow or Friday depending on sighting of the moon. The month ends with celebration of Eid.
Another official said it is a matter of regret that over the last few years, terrorists have indulged in large scale bloodshed not only in India but also in other parts of the world during the holy month.
This has caused immense sufferings to peace-loving Muslims adhering to the true tenets of Islam. People belonging to other communities have also suffered, the official said.
“Ramzan is in true sense, the month of worship, purity and peace. It should be our collective endeavour to isolate those who bring a bad name to Islam by their senseless acts of terror and violence.
“The government of India wants that during the ensuing month of Ramzan, no section of society and in particular, the peace-loving Muslim community should face any difficulty. It is important that all peace-loving people come together to isolate the terrorists and motivate those who have been misguided to return to the path of peace,” the official said.
