Ceasefire in Kashmir for Ramadan?
16 May 2018 – India has called for a truce in Kashmir for Ramadan 2018.
The Indian home ministry says it hopes Muslims can observe the holy month of Ramadan in a ‘peaceful environment’.
The suspension of military operations against rebels in Kashmir is the best hope for a peaceful holy month of Ramadan in nearly twenty years.
The truce comes as a blessed relief to a community under constant pressure in recent months that have seen intense fighting in the disputed Himalayan region.
There is a proviso. Security Forces in India have reserved the right to retaliate if attacked. However, Government expectations are positive that cooperation for this initiative will prevail.
Indian has half a million security forces in Kashmir and Mehbooba Mufti, Kashmir government’schief minister, hopes India’s decision “will create a peaceful and amicable environment for sustained dialogue”.
Rebel groups have made no statement at time of writing.
The move marks the first ceasefire for Ramadan since 2000. Officials say that more than 270 rebels have been killed in operations led by the Indian army since last year. In this decade’s long conflict deaths are in the tens of thousands and there seems to be no real longterm solution that both sides can back.
India and Pakistan both claim the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which has been divided across the so-called Line of Control between the two nuclear powers since 1947.
A majority of Kashmir’s mostly Muslim population would like to see the Indian-administered portion either become independent or merge with Pakistan.
Expectations are high that peace at least for Holy Month will sustain. In the longrun, it is likely to be more conflict and business as usual.