How Army Chief replied to PDP's request of extenstion of ceasefire after Ramzan

Srinagar: Pitching for the resumption of result oriented dialogue over Kashmir with all stakeholders, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday underscored the importance of the positive discourse being witnessed across the country to take the state out of the sordid conditions.

In a statement issued here, PDP General Secretary, Mansoor Hussain Sohrawardhy hailed the political leadership and the India's civil society over the concern being expressed by them to address the Kashmir issue in an amicable way and make dialogue and reconciliation an integral part of the present peace process.

Mansoor termed such developments as very positive for the return of peace in Jammu and Kashmir and said that the constructive role being played by the country's leadership and intellectual class to end the sufferings of the people of Kashmir are appreciable and significant.

"There is a dire need to take concrete measures that could stop the younger generation of the state to go adrift. They need to be shown light at the tunnel's end and we need to instil in them the  hope and courage to excel in all fields of development and growth," Mansoor said.

The PDP leader asserted that after the Ramadhan anti-militancy operations , things have begun to move gradually towards positivity and people have once again begun pinning hopes in the political leadership for the resolution of the long pending issues. ""This could be said with utmost certainty that all people in Kashmir want anti-militancy operations to get extended after Ramadhan and more Confidence Building Measures (CBM) to be taken by the government so that the an era of tranquillity and peace is ushered with eager hope  and impeccable will," Mansoor said.

He reiterated that the PDP since its inception has remained in the forefront to ensure peace, dignity and honour in the lives of the people of the state who were exposed to the bloodiest bloodbaths and chaos of the past."The PDP was founded with the sole objective of making peace an inseparable feature in the state and accord the people the lives they deserve and crave for," Mansoor said.

The PDP General Secretary added that the party never bartered the interests of the state for the petty power and has always been upholding its principles supreme.This, he said, could be gauged by the fact that it took more than three months for the party to stitch an alliance with the BJP and the only reason for the deliberations was to safeguard the interests of the state and dignity of its people.

He said that the struggle of the PDP to ensure peace and tranquillity in the state has subtly begun to bear positive results and the party along with the people of the state are sure that more peace building measures, coupled by consistent, result oriented and serious dialogue process with all stakeholders is initiated at an earliest for the resolution of Kashmir issue.

Can think of continuing Ramzan 'ceasefire' if peace prevails: Army Chief

Pahalgam, May 25 (UNI) Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Friday asserted that there could be an extension of Non-Initiation of Combat Operations (NICO) during the holy month of Ramzan in Jammu and Kashmir if there was no breach of the peace.

However, he said, ''if there is some action by militants then they will have to rethink on the suspension of NICO.''We suspended operations to show people an atmosphere of peace. In my opinion, the people here are very happy,'' Gen Rawat told reporters at this renowned health resort while on a visit to the Army Goodwill School.

On May 16, the Centre agreed to the proposal for an unilateral 'ceasefire' during the holy month of Ramzan, made by an All Party Meeting-led by J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.The step was widely welcomed by political parties and civil society in the state though it was rejected by separatists and militant outfits.

State Director General of Police S P Vaid had tweeted that the Ramzan 'ceasefire' has been successful so far. The DGP had said the situation, especially in south Kashmir, had eased and the cessation of offensive operations served as a confidence building measure for families, who want their boys to return home.

'The initiative of Hon'ble PM has helped in general improvement in law & order. The situation especially in south Kashmir has eased,'' Dr Vaid had asserted.(UNI)