Militants reject, mainstream leaders welcome CM's ceasefire offer

Srinagar, Sep 13 (UNI) Militant organisations have rejected Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's ceasefire offer while the mainstream parties have welcomed it describing it as a bold step to bring peace in state.

Militant outfit Jamat-ul-Mujahideen (JuM) rejected Mr Azad's offer of ceasefire and accused India of showing in flexibility on the Kashmir issue.

In a statement to local mediapersons, JuM field commander Muneeb-u-Rehman said they will intensify operations during the holy month of Ramzan .

Terming the reports in some local newspapers as mere rumours, he said no militant organisation was ready for Ramzan ceasefire.

He said India has not shown any flexibility in its stand on the Kashmir issue so there was no question of any ceasefire..

'' Holy month of Ramzan has witnessed Jang-e-Badr fighting and our operations in the month will escalate'', he warned.

Mr Azad offered to announce a ceasefire during the holy month of Ramzan provided the militant outfit would also declare cessation in violence.

He had said he would be happy if militants responded positively to a ceasefire announcement during the Islamic fasting month of Ramzan.

''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 militants declare to shun the violence,'' he added.

The ruling Congress leaders and other mainstream parties, including the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Democratic Front and several social organisation, have welcomed Mr Azad's offer and appealed to militants to respond positively.

NC president Omar Abdullah had suggested to involve Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in the dialogue process to bring peace in the state.

Mohammad Yosuf Tarigami, State Secretary of the CPI,(M) has also called for bilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir followed by political initiatives for lasting a peace in the valley.

Addressing a public meeting at Kulgam, Mr Tarigami said the ceasefire in the holy month of Ramzan in 2000 was not properly drawn and it lacked readiness on past of Pakistan.

He said he has always been a strong advocate of bilateral ceasefire to ease the situation. However, he regretted that the political leadership in India and Pakistan did not respond to it, he added.

Mr Targami said let us stop the roaring of guns and engage ourselves in a political dialogue for better results.

''Forces of peace are prevailing over the forces of war,'' he said.

While referring to NAM summit beginning from friday at Havana, Mr Tarigami said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf should, on the sidelines of the summit, resolve for settlement of outstanding issues through peaceful means. This would be a rich tribute to those who laid foundation to the Non Align Movement (NAM), he added.

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