In Valley, it’s time again for cautious optimism

The separatist conglomerate Hurriyat Conference does not want to react inhaste. “I will wait to react,” said Jammu Kashmir Liberation FrontChairman, Yasin Malik. The Hurriyat Chairman, Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat also chose not to react immediately.

There were speculations in Srinagar since yesterday that the Governmentwanted to initiate confidence-building measures after the security forcesstrated withdrawing from many downtown localities. “The last experience ofbrief ceasefire, which ended with an unbelievable spurt in violence makespeople scared of such moves,” said Dr Abdul Rasheed Wani, a local physician. “But this time, there is hope things will not take such a turnbecause it is the Government of India that has initiated the peace move and not any militant outfit. It will last long becuase it will not hurt any militant group’s ego”.

Prof. Noor Ahmad Baba, head of the Political Science department at KashmirUniversity, believes that the month-long halt to anti-militancy operationsmight mean little on ground but it is a revelation that beneath the surfacethere is a serious thinking going on to resolve the issue. “I stronglyfeel that there is a change in the mood in Delhi. Kargil has ceased to hauntthe Kashmir policy of New Delhi which means a lot,” he said. He said therehave been many a feelers in this direction like the permission to Hurriyatleaders to attend OIC summit in Qatar and also to go to Pakistan. “Thereseems a realisation at all levels that to end violence in Kashmir, there isa need to look beyond military solutions,” he said.

Baba said that the unilateral ceasefire annuncement comming from PrimeMinister’s Office means that behind the screen, some initiatives are takingshape. The head of Political Science department at Jammu University, Prof.Rekha Choudhary too welcomes the move. “It is unprecedented. Government ofIndia is taking such a step for the first time and it will definitely betaken as positively in Kashmir despite the scepticism of the last fiascowhen ceasefire lasted just for a week or so,” she said.

Former Union minister Prof Saif-ud-din Soz too believes it to do good toKashmir hoping that the militants will also reciprocate. “People hadwelcomed the previous ceasefire also and they will certainly feel relaxedthis time too,” he said. People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Muftihopes that this month-long ceasefire will finally lead to meaningfuldialogue which will culminate into lasting peace.

However, security forces and police officers are not that optimistic. “It’s a very good gesture but its implications will be difficult on us. We have been trying to generate pressure on militants before the onset of winter but it will ease them out,” a senior police officer said. “If the month-long ceasefire means we will get any way closer to an end to this violence, I would love it. But nothing is going to come out of it because there is a lot of vested interest in keeping the pot boiling in Kashmir,” he said.

A senior army officer heading a Rashtriya Rifles sector in the Valley too said the actual meaning of the halt in counter-insurgency operations will depend on the reaction of the militant groups. “We have to wait to the reaction of the militant groups especially the Jihadi outfits. They will determine the fate of this peace initiative,” he said.