Govt, Hurriyat may talk in renewed peace push
Mehbooba may ask Rajnath for extension of Ramzan ceasefire
NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR: The ground is being laid for a meeting between the Centre’s special representative to Jammu and Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma, and the separatist leadership in the Valley, government officials and the separatists have independently confirmed, even as New Delhi makes renewed efforts to restore peace in a region where violence has peaked in recent weeks.
“The meeting between Sharma and the separatists may happen after Eid following a review of the government’s initiative to halt operations against militants in the Valley during Ramzan. The review will also have bearing on any decision to extend period for halt on operations in the Valley,” said a government official familiar with the deliberations on the issue, speaking on condition of anowill nymity. The review of the unilateral cessation of operations of security forces during Ramzan, declared on May 16, will be conducted in the presence of home minister Rajnath Singh, who visits the state on Thursday. Singh confirmed to reporters in Delhi on Tuesday that any discussion on the extension of ceasefire will take place during his visit.
During the meeting, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti is expected to strongly recommend extending the so-called ceasefire for another two months. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Rafi Ahmad said Singh also meet a delegation of young people and sportspersons to discuss how young people in the state can be discouraged from joining militants.
A senior PDP leader close to the chief minister said Mufti has consistently called for a ceasefire and a dialogue with the separatist leadership. Both may have “some impediments in the beginning but will have a gradual impact on ground and Mufti will convey to the home minister about the benefits in the long run,” the leader said on condition of anonymity.
In Delhi, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the army is honouring the temporary suspension of counter-terror operations but that the force had been given room to respond if there is an “unprovoked attack”.
Asked about the possibility of an extension, she said, “Well, it has been announced for Ramzan and if there is anything (extension) I will come back to you.”