New Delhi, May 12 : The Concerned Citizens’ Group, including former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha and former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah, today extended support to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s call for a unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during the month of Ramzan till completion of the Amarnath Yatra.
In a statement issued here, the Concerned Citizens’ Group said it strongly endorses the joint demand of the political parties of Jammu and Kashmir for a ceasefire during the sacred month of Ramzan.
“The security forces must observe the ceasefire strictly and should fire only when fired upon,” it said.
The group said the Government of India must initiate a purposeful dialogue, in the meanwhile, with all stakeholders in a time-bound manner.
They appealed to people to abjure violence during Ramzan and Amarnath Yatra.
The group comprises Yashwant Sinha, Wajahat Habibullah, former Air Marshal Kapil Kak, senior journalist Bharat Bhushan and Sushobha Barve.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had said the Central government should consider a unilateral ceasefire in the state starting from Ramzan in mid May till the completion of the Amarnath Yatra in August.
She made the remarks after chairing a four-hour all-party meeting, which was convened to discuss the present situation in the Kashmir Valley.
Those advocating ceasefire playing politics over Ramzan: MoS PMO
Jammu, May 12 (PTI) Parties advocating a unilateral ceasefire by the Centre in Jammu and Kashmir are playing politics over Ramzan, Union Minister Jitendra Singh today said and asserted that the government had a consistent policy with regard to Pakistan and terrorism.
“I want to ask a question to those who are suggesting a unilateral ceasefire whether they are true followers of Islam? As long as we understand Islam and Holy Quran, those who observe fast it is imperative for them not to indulge in any type of violence or harm anyone.
“Instead of advising them (militants), suggesting others means that you are not faithful to Ramzan but you are playing politics over it,” Singh told reporters here.
On May 09, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said the Centre should consider a unilateral ceasefire in the state starting from Ramzan in mid May till the completion of the Amarnath Yatra in August.
She made the remarks after chairing an all-party meeting, which was convened to discuss the present situation in Kashmir Valley, especially after a tourist from Chennai was killed in stone pelting on May 07.
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP, which is sharing power with Mufti’s PDP, opposed her call for a unilateral ceasefire claiming such a step was not at all in “national interest”.
Union Minister Singh asked why those advocating unilateral ceasefire on the pretext of Ramzan had not advised the militants.
“They are observing fast and in the Holy Quran they are directed not to indulge in any act of violence or harm anyone during fasting. They need to be made understand this,” he said.
He said ceasefire was never one-sided. “If the other side makes a mercy plea, then it makes a sense,” he said.
Singh said the Centre had not received any proposal with regard to a ceasefire from the State government so far.
“It is their personal view (ceasefire during Ramzan) and there are people who make statements to address their constituencies. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has made it clear that there is no such proposal,” he said.
On Mufti’s repeated plea for resumption of dialogue with Pakistan, he said it was the prerogative of the Centre.
“Every day it is being said (hold talks with Pakistan) but we have not done it till date. The Modi government is the only (dispensation) in the country which has taken a stand (on Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir and terrorism) and has shown consistency and commitment,” the Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office said.
