Kashmir ceasefire ‘wasted’ as violence escalates

A spurt in militant strikes in the Kashmir Valley has put paid to the truce during Ramzan and halt in operations by security forces. Since May 17, more than twelve militant attacks have been reported from different parts of Kashmir. On Friday alone the Valley was rocked by four grenade attacks in the wake of intelligence alerts on major strikes.

“Although millitant attacks have shot up since the ceasefire was announced, we have restricted our movement and even on specific inputs we do not act” said a senior Police officer.

During this fortnight, two civilians were also killed. While the truce announced last month by the Government found no takers among militant outfit, people by and large had responded favourably. But continuing deaths of civilians has rendered the olive branch held out by the Government meaningless.

Late on Friday Kaiser Ahmad succumbed to his injuries after being run over by a CRPF vehicle. Around 60 people received injuries on May 25 when security forces tried to disperse protesters after the Friday prayers near the Jamia Masjid, Srinagr. In another incident a civilian Bilal Ahmad Ganie was killed in Kakapora, Pulwama following a brief exchange of firing between the soldiers and militants.

“Security forces have turned more aggressive since the truce was announced. Even in the remote areas they have indulged in the acts of arson. We have not received the breather we expected,” laments Mohd Ashraf Mir, a resident of Pulwama.

Shahnawaz Mantoo, a political observer, felt that the truce was not only meant to halt operations against militants but also to break the vicious cycle of violence by keeping civilian Killings at bay. “To that extent, it has completely failed to serve the purpose,” he exclaimed.

Ceasefire in 2001

Observers here are comparing the ceasefire announced in 2001 by the Vajpayee government. It had been more successful, agents of peace had become stronger and there was cessation of hostilities then. “In 2001 the ceasefire was not completely unilateral. It had found resonance among the militants too unlike this time,”said Mantoo.