Extension of ceasefire: All eyes on today’s meeting in New Delhi

By Mudassir Kuloo

Srinagar, Jun 13: All eyes are on Thursday’s meeting for knowing whether or not New Delhi would extend the ceasefire in Kashmir.

Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, has called a meeting of top security officials from the central home ministry as well as the state to decide the fate of the ceasefire.

“Several security meeting reviews have been held for the last one week. The final decision will be taken on Thursday in New Delhi,” a senior security official told The Kashmir Monitor.

Singh, during his two-day visit to the state last week, reviewed the security scenario following government of India’s decision to halt anti-militancy operations during the concluding month of Ramadan.

He has said, “The decision regarding the extension of Ramadan 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.”

He was also told by security officials that the ‘Operation Halt’ has been by and large a success.

He was reportedly told that there was “70 per cent success if not 100 per cent”, following which he apprised the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, about the ground situation of the state assessed by him during his visit.

By favouring New Delhi’s dialogue offer in Kashmir, Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat, has dropped hints about the extension in the ceasefire.

Mainstream politicians support extension of the ceasefire to provide relief to the people.

“The ceasefire has provided much relief to the people and shall be extended,” the ruling PDP Chief Spokesperson, Rafi Ahmad Mir, said.

“The situation has almost remained peaceful since the ceasefire began in the valley.”

National Conference General Secretary, Ali Mohammad Sagar, said his party wanted bloodshed in the valley to end.

“The government has to find a solution to Kashmir issue,” he said.

Senior Congress leader, G N Monga said the Centre has to decide whether it wanted to extend the ceasefire in the valley.

“Everyone wants bloodshed to end here,” Monga said.

The CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam, M Y Tarigami, said the ceasefire has provided relief to common people.

“It has to be extended post Eid,” Tarigami said.