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Political parties welcome agreement on ceasefire

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Srinagar: Cutting across party lines, different political parties on Thursday welcomed the agreement between armies of India and Pakistan on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors.

The agreement between the DGMOS of India and Pakistan will go a long way in ushering lasting peace along the LoC, and IB, National conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah said while welcoming the development.

“NC has always been a strong votary of Indo-Pak peace. It is the people of Jammu and Kashmir who have been facing the brunt of escalating tensions along the borders. I hope the agreement is followed in letter and spirit. The development, I sincerely believe, will allow people living along the LoC and IB to go about their normal lives with minimal disruption and risk,” he said.

“I have all along been saying that spilling of blood on either side of the borders is unjustifiable in today’s emancipated world.  The cessation of hatred between the two countries will help both the countries concentrate more on their respective populations’ wellbeing.  I hope the development doesn’t go down as short-lived flutter but increases the possibility of some forward movement towards the resolution of all pending issues lingering between the two neighboring nations,” he said, adding “I, on behalf of my party, welcome the move with a view that it augurs well for increased prospects of peace and prosperity in the entire region, particularly Jammu and Kashmir.”

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti in a tweet welcomed the ceasefire announcement and said dialogue was the only way forward.

“A big & welcome development that India & Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire along the LoC. Dialogue is the only way forward if both countries want to stop the unending cycle of violence & bloodshed across the borders and J&K,” Mehbooba said.

She said that this was need of the hour as both countries have been facing challenges, and dialogue is the only way forward. “The situation in Kashmir and the long-pending issue can only be solved through dialogue. We hope the ceasefire agreement between the two countries will be a success and the talk from DGMOs level will also reach to the political level,” she said.

Sounding bit cautious and not much optimistic, Sajad Lone of Peoples Conference tweeted:

“Seemingly Indo Pak detente. Don’t know how long the good will stay only to b replaced by the perpetual bad. Not being negative. But tempted to say. They can play friend and enemies whenever they want. Wish we Kashmiris learn our lessons. And we won’t learn. Never have. Never will.”

J&K unit of the Congress party said it has always favoured any initiative aimed at restoration of peace along the borders and LoC for the safety of our residents and security personnel. However, the party hastened to add if the infiltration and “cross-border terrorism” have been stopped by Pakistan.

JKPCC chief GA Mir also questioned the Modi government for its “flip flop policy” stating that the government has thus far been saying that “the talks and terrorism can’t go together”.

“BJP had been always saying that no talks are possible with Pakistan until it stops cross-border terrorism and infiltration. It had been targeting the previous UPA government for track-two diplomacy and dialogue on the ground that no  talks should be held till Pakistan stops cross-border terrorism and firings. It always advocated tough posturing against Pakistan by claiming that you need 56″ chest to deal with Pakistan,” Mir said.

The Manmohan Singh government “always dealt with Pakistan firmly on all fronts but the doors of dialogue were never closed and the border situation as well as infiltration situation was much better than the worst record of Modi government.”

He said that “after over six years of hot pursuit, leading to martyrdom of our jawans and civilians and other losses, finally the Modi government has decided to seek peace and normalcy on the borders and LoC — although it brings huge relief to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Mir said Congress always favoured initiatives for peace and safety of our civilians and soldiers. “Today Congress stands vindicated that the Modi government has always adopted a flip-flop policy towards Pakistan which yielded no good results in six years,” JKPCC president said.

Apni Party district president Kupwara, Raja Manzoor said the decision to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the LoC has provided a sigh of relief for the inhabitants of districts of J&K.

“Until now much of the life and property have been lost to the ceasefire violations in border areas, be it in Uri, Karnah, Nowshera, Poonch, Gurez or any other frontier areas of J&K. The continuous threat of shelling and firing has always created a perpetual atmosphere of fear and uncertainty,” Manzoor said.

He said that such an agreement was needed. “The peace in border areas shall usher in a new era of stability and progress across J&K. It can be now expected that the inhabitants of border areas will return to their homes and live a normal life.”

The moderate faction of the separatist Hurriyat Conference also welcomed the agreement between armies of India and Pakistan on ceasefire along the LoC, and said it will provide a huge relief to the “beleaguered” people.

“It is a move in the right direction, which will provide huge relief to the beleaguered people living under constant threat on the LoC and end the bloodshed there,” the Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in a statement.

The Hurriyat said the governments of India and Pakistan need to address the core concern of Jammu and Kashmir in keeping with the aspirations of its people.

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