DGMO talks: Border villages hope for peace

R.S. Pura (JK): The decision of India and Pakistan to “fully implement” the 2003 ceasefire and stop cross-border firing has generated hope among the border villagers here who have been bearing the brunt of fierce shelling repeatedly.

The optimism, though, is tinged with wariness as promises of peace have often not lasted.

The border residents are again returning to their homes after getting displaced due to intense Pakistani shelling for nine days from the middle of this month.

“We welcome any initiative aimed at ensuring peace along the borders. People are leaving the relief camps and returning to their homes after the DGMOs of the two countries agreed to maintain the ceasefire,” Yashpal, sarpanch of  Deba village of Abdullian sector, told us.

Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan yesterday agreed to “fully implement” the ceasefire pact of 2003 in “letter and spirit” and to stop cross border firings. The two military commanders reviewed the prevailing situation along the LoC and the international border in Jammu and Kashmir during a conversation over the hotline at 6 PM, the Indian Army said.

The special hotline contact was initiated by the Pakistani DGMO. Following the conversation between Indian DGMO Lt. Gen. Anil Chauhan and Pakistan’s Maj. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the two armies issued identical statements saying both sides agreed to fully implement the 15-year-old ceasefire understanding.

Yashpal, however, says that this was not for the first time that India and Pakistan are speaking to honour the 2003 ceasefire agreement.

“Pakistan has always violated the agreement and we do not have any faith in it,” the village head said. Some people of the village, who were reluctant to go back to their homes and were still housed at the relief camps, returned on Tuesday night.