Jammu And Kashmir: Mehbooba Mufti Appeals For Unilateral Ceasefire Starting Ramzan

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister (CM) Mehbooba Mufti has appealed the Centre to consider a unilateral ceasefire in the state from Ramzan in mid-May till the Amarnath Yatra completion in August, Times of India has reported.

Mufti sent out the appeal following an all-party meeting to discuss the dire situation in the state. A young tourist from Chennai, R. Thirumani, 25, had been killed in the state by stone-pelting mobs on 7 May.

"Everyone agreed that we should appeal to the Centre to consider a ceasefire like the unilateral ceasefire in Vajpayee's time in Ramzan till Amarnath Yatra and Eid," she said.

She said that the ceasefire will help improve the atmosphere in the state which has been marred with protests, stone pelting incidents and crackdowns.

"Now, Ramzan is starting, then Yatra is taking place, so we should try to take such steps which restore the confidence of the people and a better atmosphere is created in which Eid is celebrated in a good way and Yatra also takes place well," she added.

The opposition National Conference (NC) meanwhile demanded a special session of the state parliament to discuss the situation in the valley. It said that meetings will have no effect on the situation until concrete steps are taken on the ground.