Page 29 - June2018

Kashmir

What lies ahead of unilateral to militants to “regroup,
rearm and re-launch the
ceasefire in Kashmir? attacks”. There are apprehen-
sions about infiltration, too,
although the ceasefire is not
While the unilateral truce in Kashmir seems to have brought down applicable on the border. On
violence in the Valley, the border areas are still reeling from gunfire. Given the his visit to the state in the
wake of the announcement
past instances of breakdown of ceasefires, Riwaz wani explores whether truces of the unilateral ceasefire,
really work or do they just help militants to regroup for fresh attacks the Army chief General Bipin
Rawat called upon the Army
to plug borders and not allow
ashmir has the militants to enter and
witnessed a join their local counterparts.
marked decrease But this is easier said than
in violence done. The tough terrain and
K ever since the the deep ravines along the
unilateral ceasefire went into border make it impossible
effect on May 15. The fact has for the troops to completely
been acknowledged even by seal the border. Indian Army
the J&K DGP SP Vaid who, in a chief General Bipin Rawat
tweet, said that the “situation, also hinted at extending the
especially in south Kashmir, unilateral ceasefire in Jammu
has eased and is serving as a and Kashmir. “We suspended
Confidence Building Measure the operations to give people
for families who want their an atmosphere of peace and I
boys to return home.” believe people are happy,” said
The only major exception Gen Rawat. “If things continue
has been that of the Army in similar fashion, continua-
firing at people objecting to its • On the edge The villages near the ‘The situation, in tion of non-initiation of com-
Iftar party at Dreed, Kalipora intensified border see skirmishes bat operations can be thought
in Shopian, thus, injuring four south Kashmir, of. But if militants activities
girls. There has otherwise has eased and continue, we cannot do so”.
been no Cordon and Search 23, five civilians were killed He also urged Pakistan
Operation in South Kashmir. and 40 people, including is serving as to reciprocate and pave the
Similarly, central and north three BSF personnel were a Confidence way for peace. “If Pakistan
Kashmir have been calm. injured in the firing from Pa- wants peace, we expect them
Though it is still premature kistani posts. At least 50,000 Building Measure to take the initiative — which
to predict the course of the people from the villages along for families who can be to stop infiltration,”
current initiative, in 2000 the International Border and Gen Rawat told the media
the truce announced by the Line of Control have been want their boys on the sidelines of a function
former Prime Minister Atal evacuated to temporary in Pahalgam. But for that to
Bihari Vajpayee for nearly shelters at safer places. The to return home’ happen there is a need for
five months had the reverse villages most affected by the the centre to upgrade the
impact of escalating the level intensified border skirmishes offer — albeit, militants have Confidence Building Measure
of violence. An estimated fall in Sambha, Kathua, so far by and large kept their to include a political outreach,
800 persons were killed Akhnoor area of the Jammu side of bargain by not firing for example, an offer of talks
in the period. The militant region. on the security forces. There to separatists, including
outfits comprising Hizbul This state of affairs hardly have been some gun snatch- even to Pakistan. This could
Mujahideen, Lashker-i-Toiba bodes well for the success ings from the police though. build stakes in a conducive
and Jaish-e-Mohammad had of the ceasefire. If anything, Where do we go from environment for the talks for
rejected the ceasefire terming this reveals Pakistan is not here? The situation is uncer- all the stake-holders. But as
it drama, much like they have on board for the Confidence tain. There are apprehensions of now, there is no indication
done now. Building Measure. At the same among the security establish- that such a plan is in works.
The borders areas have, time, separatist groups in the ment that the period of cease-
however, heated up. On May Valley have also rejected the fire could give a breather letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 june 2018 29 www.Tehelka.com

29 Riyaz Kashmir.indd 3 04/06/18 12:33 PM