TIPS to search 200  million Web pages fast!

Hurriyat alleges ceasefire violation

As militants in Kashmir intensified attacks on security forces, the separatist All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Thursday alleged that the unilateral ceasefire was being used as a "political card to deceive the world and Kashmiri people".

In a hard-hitting statement issued in Srinagar on Thursday evening, the APHC alleged that "the real intentions of the ceasefire stood exposed as the security forces were openly violating the ceasefire announced by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee".

"Troops are openly violating the unilateral ceasefire and they have let loose a reign of terror in various parts of the state. The troops have intensified their activities and have been harassing civilians,'' said the statement in Urdu.

"The government is trying to mislead the international community, which has been pressurising New Delhi to solve the Kashmir problem and has been demanding a halt to human right violations."

The APHC statement mentioned some recent incidents and arrests in various parts of the state.

The prime minister's offer had evoked an ambivalent response from the separatist conglomerate, which had demanded steps for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. "We want concrete steps immediately for the final settlement of the dispute. Kashmir problem cannot be solved by a ceasefire."

Almost all militant groups have rejected the prime minister's offer and have threatened to intensify their attacks on security forces during the Holy month of Ramadan.

The new state police chief had during the day said that "a wind of change has set in Jammu and Kashmir following the unilateral ceasefire. "The violence rate has shown a decline both on the border and hinterland of the state", DGP Ashok Suri told newsmen in Jammu

Suri issued a stern warning to militants to either surrender and join the mainstream or get eliminated. "If they surrender we will accept them with open arms and allow them to live a decent social life. But if they want to fight, we will deal them with a heavy hand".

The DGP said that as per police estimates there are 3000 to 4000 militants active in the state. He disclosed that the concentration of foreign militants was greater in Rajouri and Poonch than the Kashmir valley.

Complete coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report