No major confrontation was reported between security forces and militants on Thursday except for three service rifles going “missing” from a police post in Srinagar, a day after the Centre announced a unilateral ceasefire for the month of Ramzan.
However, separatists termed the ceasefire “a cosmetic measure”. “Until a comprehensive plan is made to resolve the Kashmir issue, these cosmetic things won’t work. It will not make any difference on the ground,” said JKLF chief Yasin Malik.
Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that such a ceasefire, for a month or two, “will not make any difference”.
‘Cruel joke’
The separatists forum, Joint Resistance leadership (JRL), comprising Syed Ali Geelani, the Mirwaiz and Mr. Malik, held a meeting in Srinagar to deliberate on “Operation Halt” announced by the Home Ministry. They termed it a “cruel joke on the people of the Valley”.
They reiterated their call for shutdown during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kashmir on May 19.
