Separatists term Ramzan truce a cosmetic measure'

Srinagar: In their first reaction to the Centre asking security forces to suspend counter-insurgency operations in J&K during Muslim fasting month of Ramzan, the separatists on Thursday termed the move as a “cosmetic measure”.

They said that the government should instead of declaring unilateral truce find out why the youth of the Valley are taking up guns and address the issue of Kashmir in its totality. “Instead of taking some cosmetic measures, the Indian government should try to know and understand the causes behind our youth taking up guns,” said separatist leader and the Valley’s chief Muslim cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

“You have pushed the youth of Kashmir to the wall. I don’t think declaring ceasefire is a solution. You need to address the Kashmir problem in its totality as the root cause of the turmoil is denial of right to self determination to the people of the state,” he added.

The Mirwaiz also spoke about “terrible atrocities that are being perpetuated on the people of Kashmir by government forces” working as a catalyst for the Valley’s youth taking up guns.  

The Union home ministry had on Wednesday announced to halt military operations against separatist militants during Ramzan, which began on Thursday. It said that the decision was taken “to help peace-loving Musli-ms observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment”.

Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, her predecessor and Opposition NC working president Omar Abdullah, the CPI(M), the Congress and various other mainstream parties and leaders welcomed the move, saying it will go a long way in creating a peaceful and amicable environment for a sustained dialogue on the issue of Kashmir. They hoped the militants will reciprocate the gesture.

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik accused the Centre of hoodwinking the outside world by declaring truce. “On one hand, they talk of truce and, on the other, they are doing all at their command to force the people of Kashmir to surrender at Lal Chowk (Srinagar’s historic central square). But we will resist it. Our resistance shall continue,” he said.