Centre asks security forces not to launch operations in Kashmir during Ramzan
However, the office of the Home Ministry said that the forces could retaliate if they were attacked.
The Centre has asked security forces not to launch operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the month of Ramzan, the office of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.
The Centre asks Security Forces not to launch operations in Jammu & Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan. Decision taken to help the peace loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment.
— HMO India (@HMOIndia) May 16, 2018
HM Shri @rajnathsingh has informed the Chief Minister, J&K of Centre’s decision.
“This decision has been taken to help peace-loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment,” the tweet read. “Home Minister Rajnath Singh has informed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister [Mehbooba Mufti] of the Centre’s decision.”
However, the union home minister’s office said that the the security forces could retaliate if attacked, “or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people”. “The government expects everyone to cooperate in this initiative and help Muslim brothers and sisters observe Ramzan without any difficulty,” it added.
The Centre said it was necessary to “isolate the forces who bring a bad name to Islam” through violence and militancy.
Security Forces to reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people.
— HMO India (@HMOIndia) May 16, 2018
Government expects everyone to cooperate in this initiative and help the Muslim brothers & sisters to observe Ramzan peacefully and without any difficulties.
Mufti thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh for their intervention. “The month of Ramadan is a harbinger of peace [and] such a decision will go a long way in creating a peaceful [and] amicable environment for a sustained dialogue,” she told ANI.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too welcomed the Centre’s decision. “Now if the militants don’t respond in kind, they will stand exposed as the true enemies of the people,” he said.
I wholeheartedly welcome the Ramadan ceasefire & would like to thank @narendramodi ji & @rajnathsingh ji for their personal intervention. My gratitude also to the leaders & parties who participated in the All Party Meeting & helped build consensus towards this announcement. 1/2
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 16, 2018
On the demand of all political parties (except the BJP, which had opposed it) the Centre has announced a unilateral ceasefire. Now if the militants don’t respond in kind they will stand exposed as the true enemies of the people.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 16, 2018
Omar Abullah’s father Farooq Abdullah, also a former chief minister, said it was a “great step forward”. “I would like to congratulate Home Minister Rajnath Singh [and] PM Modi,” he told ANI. “This reminds me of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s era [as prime minister] when he announced a unilateral ceasefire. I welcome this.”
On Saturday, Mufti had said that security forces should exercise “restraint” during the month of Ramzan. The chief minister asked the forces to “scale down confrontation with the civilian population and on-the-run militants” during Ramzan and the Amarnath Yatra”. Mufti’s statements come after the People’s Democratic Party’s alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party, on May 10 rejected her proposal for a unilateral ceasefire during Ramzan.