india

Updated: May 04, 2019 21:34 IST

Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister and People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday appealed the central government to announce ceasefire and stalling of operations against militants in the month of Ramzan starting next week.

“After two days the month of Ramzan will begin. I request government of India that J&K is a Muslim majority state. People here are already facing hardships. Ramzan is the month of prayers ...So I request the government of India to announce ceasefire like last year. Crackdowns, search operations should stop so that people of J&K could pass the month peacefully,’’ Mehbooba told mediapersons.

Mehbooba also urged militants against attacking the security forces during the month.

Last year, the Union home ministry had announced ceasefire in Kashmir ahead of Ramzan, however, the month had witnessed a spike in militant attacks. Despite requests from then CM Mehbooba Mufti, operations against militants resumed after Ramzan ended as Centre had refused to extend the ceasefire.

“...Modiji has been repeating that he believes in ideology and follows ‘insaniyat’ and democracy of Vajpayee ji. And for that,... the government of India should announce ceasefire,” she said. “Whether it is the ban on Jamaat, JKLF, stopping of cross-LoC trade or the closure of national highway, the government of India is trying to destroy the economy of the state,” she said accusing the Centre.