FAROOQ WANTS UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE
As India trades fire with Pakistan over ceasefire violations along the LoC in Jammu , National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Sunday urged PM Narendra Modi to declare a unilateral truce, but the suggestion was immediately shot down by the state government.
JAMMU : Amid escalations along the borders in the Jammu region, Member of Parliament and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a unilateral ceasefire from Indian side.
“The situation is very volatile on the borders as continued shelling is going on unabated. Similar was the situation during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He (Vajpayee) took the initiative, went to Lahore and later called for such ceasefire,” Abdullah said on the sidelines of a private function in Jammu on Sunday.
“I appeal PM Modi to go for unilateral ceasefire. India does not want war but wants to resolve the issue by holding bilateral talks. I think the time has come that both the neighbouring countries should take the initiative. We have fought four wars and only suffered destruction while lines (border) stayed where they were,” he added.
On Saturday, two civilians were killed in the Nowshera sector along LoC as Pakistan pounded on civilians areas.
The sector has witnessed a large-scale migration. In the morning hours of Sunday, Pakistan resorted to unprovoked firing in the Rajouri sector.
The entire area along LoC has become turbulent after the beheading for two Indian soldiers by Pak Army on May 1.
Abdullah said that during his recent meeting with PM Modi, he had explained the PM that situation in the Valley is not a law-and-order problem, but a political one.
“I have told PM Modi that it has become imperative to take urgent and early political initiatives to tackle the ongoing situation in the Valley. A parliamentary delegation vested the state, but nothing was materialised. Also, the Centre has the interlocutor's report, but no actions have been taken,” the former CM added.