R-Day gift to J&K, truce extended

"The present phase of peace in J and K is being extended, in that hope, by another month," External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh announced after a three-hour-long meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) presided over by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The decision was unanimous.

Singh said "it is regrettable that Pakistan has not recognised the demand of time for peace and continues to promote, encourage and abet cross-border terrorism. This must cease and the activities of organisations like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad curbed and controlled by Pakistan."

The CCS took the decision of ceasefire extension notwithstanding views of sections within the Government opposing extension. The entire security scenario in J and K, particularly acts of cross-border terrorism and militant crimes against civilians, was reviewed at the CCS meeting.

Vajpayee had declared on November 19 that security forces should not launch combat operations against militants during Ramzan and extended it by another month till January 26.

The CCS meeting was attended by Home Minister L K Advani, Jaswant Singh, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission K C Pant, National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra, Army Chief Gen S Padmanabhan and top officials.

Singh said Vajpayee’s peace initiative on Ramzan eve was taken despite heinous acts of terrorism and violence against innocent people.

Asked about the possibility of Indo-Pak talks on the Kashmir issue, he said "India has always been in favour of a dialogue and will remain so.

"However, for such a dialogue to succeed, a conducive atmosphere has to be created and the onus for that lies on Pakistan. Dialogue on one hand and gun-talk on the other does not work," he said.

He said the decision to extend the ceasefire was "unanimous" and there was no difference of opinion in the CCS.

The ground situation in J and K as well as on the border and the Line of Control (LoC) was reviewed in its entirety, Singh said, adding that Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was "informed and consulted" in the matter.

Singh said the views of major political parties was also taken into consideration while taking the decision.

Replying to questions, he said "we do believe that the Pakistani regime continued to promote, encourage and abet cross-border terrorism and this should stop forthwith."

On Islamabad’s stand that it was unable to control militant outfits, including Lashkar-e-Toiba, which were carrying out violent activities, highly-placed sources today said "We do not buy Pakistan’s argument that they have no control over these groups. They are controlled and directed by Pakistan."

They said the main aim of Vajpayee Government’s announcement of extending the ceasefire by a month beyond January 26 was to meet people’s desire for peace in J and K, tell the international community that India sincerely wanted to end violence and also address Pakistan for a positive response.

"We have been able to convince the people in the state that we sincerely want to give a chance to peace," they said adding that the international community has appreciated New Delhi’s gesture across the board.

The sources said that Pakistan has however failed to respond positively to the peace initiative.

Immediately after the annoucement of the Ramzan ceasefire, the level of violence dropped in the first four to five days as "militants were confused with regard to Islamabad’s response." Firing across the LoC has also come down, but there has been no let up on violence inside the state, they said.

Sonia warning

Raipur: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today asked the Vajpayee-led NDA Government at the Centre to be cautious on extending the ceasefire and charged it with trying to find fault with the Constitution as well as lacking foresight.

“We will support the government in any initiative it takes to bring peace back in the Valley, Sonia told reporters adding we have always cautioned the government that we must not let our guard down as we have very serious negative experiences in the past”.