Kashmiri separatist group demands ceasefire with militants during Ramadan

Political groups across Kashmir have appealed to the Central Government to declare a truce with militants during Ramadan.

Srinagar, Sept. 12 : Political groups across Kashmir have appealed to the Central Government to declare a truce with militants during Ramadan.

Wearing black dresses and shouting pro-independence slogans, members of theammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM) called for the ceasefire.

Citing the ceasefire between Indian and Pakistani troops on the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan , Zaffar Akbar Bhat, the chairman of the JKSM, urged the Centre to extend its ambit.

"The way India has declared a ceasefire at the borders, which is being followed for the past 4-5 years and no firing is taking place and people are living in peace, we appeal to the government of India that they declare a ceasefire keeping in mind the month of Ramadan," Bhat said.

In July 2002, Abdul Majid Dar, the operational commander of the Hizbul Mujahiddeen, announced a Ramadan ceasefire, but the move was aborted by Syed Salahuddin, chief of the United Jehad Council, a conglomerate of separatist groups fighting Indian troops in Kashmir from Pakistan.

Bhat also called for the release of all political prisoners languishing in various jails.

The protesters were taken into custody before they could approach the local United Nations office to submit a memorandum.

Ramadan starts from September 13.

ANI