‘ J& K’s ceasefire extension after security review’
Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who was on a two- day visit of Jammu and Kashmir, said on Friday that a decision whether to extend the conditional Ramzan ceasefire in the state or not will be taken after reviewing and assessing the security situation.
He told reporters in frontier Kupwara, “The decision regarding the extension of Ramzan ceasefire will be taken after proper consultation with the public representatives and reviewing the security situation. We need to review the security situation and other related matters at the highest level. It will be done soon and thereafter decision in connection with the extension of ceasefire will be taken”.
The Centre had on May 16 announced suspending military operations against separatist militants in J& K “to help the peaceloving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment”.
Mr Singh had at a press conference here on Thursday where referring to the surge in militants activities after the conditional ceasefire announcement said, “Shouldn’t we call napak ( impure) those who don’t stop such activities even during the holy month of Ramzan?”
He had also said that however despite provocations the security forces including the Army and the J& K police have worked with utmost restraint. He said, “I would like to repeat, that no matter how many obstacles come in our way, we will not be deterred to bring lasting peace to Kashmir.”
A day before the home minister’s arrival, CM Mehbooba Mufti had tweeted, “Even as we see the ceasefire bringing great relief to the people of J& K, militants seem to be continuing their violent activities & desperately trying to sabotage the process. I only hope that they realise the futility of their actions soon.”