Srinagar, May 21 (KNO) : Even though the ceasefire offer from Delhi for the month of Ramadhan has yielded almost good results with no encounters or attacks taking place in the first week, what remains to be seen whether Dehli would move a step ahead to invite separatists for a dialogue after Eid.
Although the recent overtures by Prime Minister Narendera Modi on Srinagar soil that development was the solution to all issues seemingly hints at Delhi’s approach towards dealing with the issue. But his remarks that Kashmiris need hugs and should be dealt with love speaks that there is more than what meets to an eye. Director General of Police S P Vaid has said that the Ramadhan ceasefire was going well so far and may yield positive results. However, a source in the police said a month long calm is beneficial for both---forces as well as militants.
“While as it will be a breather for forces to relax a bit, the month will also give time to mutants to re-group, re-frame their strategy and to change their positions and last but not the least, to store food items for a longer period,” he said. For the forces, the breather includes to fine tune its strategy on taking over militants, especially the left over militant commanders, Zakir Moosa, Reyaz Naikoo and Zeenatul Islam.
However, if Centre decides to continue with the ceasefire offer by extending it for a month more to give peace a chance, things may certainly move towards a positive direction. Former Hizbul Mujahideen commander Zafar Akbar Bhat, who was part of June 2000 delegation of five members Hizb group that announced ceasefire, said: “See ceasefire should not be looked as surrender. It can pave way for conflict resolutions. The only thing needed is commitment and clear intentions to resolve issues.
” A former militant commander said that everything lies on the Centre. “So far militants too have responded positively as there has been no strike from their side,” he said, wishing not to be named. “What remains to be seen is whether Centre would seize the ceasefire to prepare ground for talks or resume its operations.” Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, who is the senior leader of the Hurriyat Conference (M), addressing a seminar at Kupwara on the death anniversary of Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq and Khawja Abdul Gani Lone, said that Delhi will soon invite Huriyat for talks. “There is no other alternative to dialogue,” he said.