Contours of Ramazan Truce Still Unknown

Srinagar—Army and other forces await formal orders from the Home or Defense Ministries “defining technicalities and other contours” of the much-hyped Ramazan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, a report quoting top army and police officers said on Tuesday. 

The top officials in the Army and state police said that except for a public handout issued through the Press Information Bureau, no formal orders have been issued by Home or Defense Ministries defining technicalities and other contours of the ceasefire besides which extent it has to be applied and how, according to a report in the Asia Times.

“The press handout throws light largely on the need for a ceasefire than how it has to be implemented on the ground. “Government has been trying to create an environment free of terror and violence to enable the Muslim brothers to observe Ramzan [Ramadan] in a peaceful manner and in [a] conducive environment so that terrorists do not exploit their religious sentiments,” it 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 following the true tenets of Islam will cooperate in ensuring the success of this initiative during the holy month of Ramzan,” it added.

A senior official said the ceasefire was being implemented by taking the public statements from the ruling party into consideration. “When the Prime Minister and the Home Minister say something it becomes an order and we are executing it in the larger interest of the democracy. But, yes, you can say receipt of a formal order is awaited,” an unnamed official was quoted as saying.

Amit Shah, national president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has already dropped a bombshell by saying the ceasefire does not apply to militants. “Don’t take the ceasefire decision in a wrong way… This ceasefire is not for (militants). This ceasefire is for people to discharge their religious rituals in a peaceful manner,” Shah said while speaking at the India TV Conclave.

 “When the army or paramilitary forces take action, it is not limited to (militants) only,” he said, adding “A big area has to be covered, schools and homes have to be vacated and after that, action is taken. So, the decision was taken to take no action during Ramazan.”

Earlier this month, after an all-party meeting, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed to the central government to consider a unilateral ceasefire in the state starting from Ramazan in mid-May till the completion of the nerarly two month long Amarnath Yatra, the annual Hindu pilgrimage, begining August. She said a ceasefire would provide relief to the public and help create a better atmosphere in the state, which is struggling to restore peace.

The ceasefire came at a time when the Indian Army had launched a major offensive under ‘Operation All Out’ to counter militants in the region. Around 60 militants have already been killed this year alone, while at least 218 were killed last year.

The spring of 2018 is proving to be the deadliest of the decade in Kashmir. After 40 killings — mainly militants and civilians — in April, 19 people were killed in the first week of May.

While the Indian government has been discussing the potential benefits of a Ramazan ceasefire, the Army opened fire on civilians in the Shopian when people broke their fast.

On Monday evening, four girls were injured, two of them critically, after soldiers from the 34 Rashtriya Rifles allegedly fired on a gathering of villagers who objected to the Army setting up a stall for Iftar at DK Pora village in Shopian district.

The director-general of Police SP Vaid told reporters that some people rejected the Army’s Iftar gesture as ‘Haraam’ – forbidden for Muslims – and threw stones at the soldiers.  

The army on Tuesday said “necessary preventive measures” were taken by it after crowd resorted to heavy stone pelting, “posing serious threat to the safety of the troops” during an Iftar party in Shopian. 

In a statement issued here, army’s Srinagar based defence ministry spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said that Iftaar party was hosted after necessary coordination was done with the village Maulvi (cleric), Masjid Committee Members, Sarpanch and other eminent persons of the village. 

“Following the tradition and as part of goodwill gesture towards the Awaam during the holy month of Ramzan,  the local Army Camp at Imam Sahib planned an Iftaar at DK Pura village on (Monday). Necessary coordination was done with the village Maulvi, Masjid  Committee Members, Sarpanch and other eminent persons of the village,” a defence ministry spokesman said here. 

“Some of them had also later visited the Army Camp in the afternoon to finalize arrangements.  At around 1930 hours as the Iftaar was under progress, some miscreants from the village ‘barged’ into the masjid and started shouting anti-national and pro-Pakistan slogans including on the loudspeaker,” he said, adding “Very soon a large crowd instigated by the miscreants primarily consisting of youth and a few women gathered outside the masjid and surrounded the Army troops present there for organising the Iftaar.”

He said the crowd resorted to heavy stone pelting “posing serious threat to the safety of the troops.” “The troops verbally cautioned the crowd but when the stone-pelting further intensified, they took necessary preventive measures and moved out of the area.”  

Truce Eased Situation In South Kashmir: DGP  

Director General of Police S P Vaid on Tuesday said that ceasefire initiative by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has helped improvement in law and order even as situation, especially in south Kashmir, has eased. 

“The Ramzan ceasefire has been successful thus far. The initiative of Hon’ble PM has helped in general improvement in law & order. The situation especially in south Kashmir has eased & is serving as confidence Building Measure for families who want their boys to return back home,” Vaid tweeted.

The Government of India last week announced a ceasefire in J&K during the holy month of Ramzan. The New Delhi has asked its forces not to launch operations in Jammu and Kashmir during Ramzan but said that the forces could retaliate if attacked, “or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people”.

Expressing happiness with this move, the Mehbooba hoped positive response from Pakistan.  

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