Ceasefire likely in J

New Delhi, Sept 13: The Centre is likely to announce a ceasefire for the holy month of Ramadan in Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at restoring lasting peace in the strife-torn state.

Sources told that if the militant organisations respond favourably the truce could also be extended.

''Ramadan will begin in the last week of September and negotiations are on with the militants. We are hopeful that the truce will be announced before that,'' the sources said.

''People in Jammu and Kashmir want peace and this would be the right beginning,'' they added.

Back channel negotiations are in progress with the militants to pursue them to agree to the ceasefire, the sources said.

Prominent among those in touch with the militant leadership, particularly the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, is CPI(M) state Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, they added.

Mr Tarigami was also instrumental in the November 2000 Ramadan ceasefire announced by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The announcement is likely to come after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returns from Cuba, where he will hold talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf following the NAM summit.

On September 11, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad offered to announce a ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan and even beyond, provided the ultras declared cessation of violence.

Mr Azad had said he would be happy to respond to a ceasefire announcement by the militants during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

''From the government's side, I will be happy to respond to ceasefire which should not be limited to the holy month only, but can be extended even beyond that period in case the militants declare to shun the violence,'' he added.

The Chief Minister expressed the hope that the truce would not only help in progress and development of the state, but also provide an opportunity to the people to get the rid of violence and miseries for ever.

On July 24, 2000, Hizb Commander-in-chief Majid Dar announced a unilateral truce in Srinagar which the Centre had reciprocated.

Hizb chief Sayed Salahaudin had initially backed the move but withdrew his support under pressure from Pakistan on August 8.

He had demanded that Pakistan be included in talks between Hizb and the Indian Government which New Delhi had rejected.

The month-long November 2000 ceasefire was extended twice till May 31,2001. The Government withdrew the Non-Initiation of Combat Operations (NICO) against the militants on May 26, 2001.

UNI

Related Stories

In-focus: Kashmir Burning
PM's remark on NAM irks left