People from both sides of LoC demand end to India- Pakistan hostilities

MIRPUR: (Parliament Times) Nearly 200 citizens from the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State across the Line of Control (LoC) (AJK and IOK) came together and urged India and Pakistan to cease hostilities immediately, follow the ceasefire agreement of 2003 in letter and spirit and resume dialogue in a joint e-petition initiated by the Centre for Peace, Development and Reforms (CPDR), says a press release issued by the CPDR late Saturday on the eve of the International human rights day observed the world over on Dec. 10.

This petition has been signed by numerous public figures such as politicians, intellectuals and human rights activists across the LoC. Noted columnist Ershad Mahmud who is the executive director of CPDR in his comment says “The people living in areas alongside LoC feel helpless and voiceless as the entire Kashmir discourse is focused on security and warfare dimensions; no one has highlighted the human suffering so far”.

The e-petition states that the use of heavy artillery and ammunition on the civilians must come to a halt as it clearly violates the fundamental human laws applicable in both peace and emergency situations. It demands an immediate application of a redeployment mechanism for forces and heavy artillery to curtail the losses on both sides of LoC.

The petition pressed India and Pakistan to immediately start demining of more than 2 million landmines that are planted alongside the LoC, these mines have brought death and misery to thousands of people. The petition underlines the importance of the long-outstanding issue of Jammu and Kashmir and pressed upon both the governments to address it politically through dialogue by involving all stakeholders.

Mr. Izhar Hunzai who happens to be the chairman of PTI Gilgit-Baltistan chapter signed this petition and opined that war is not an option for any of the two parties and the only way to help out the people of disputed Jammu and Kashmir state is an unconditional dialogue. Pakistan and India should end the path of war and walk the path of peace, he maintained. Sajad Badar, a peace activist from India, says that I support this initiative because I could foresee the dangers of a nuclear war. Noted human rights activist and editor Kashmir Times, Mrs. Anuradha Bhasin while signing the petition said: “There is no other alternative but a result oriented uninterruptible dialogue.”

This initiative, as a part of a public campaign for peace on LoC is started at a time when people living in areas near to LoC are facing the brunt of intensified armed conflict. This continuous captivity has resulted in protests in areas alongside LoC on both sides as people are running out of patience. There is a fear creeping in the public discourse that India and Pakistan as a result of worsening situation on LoC may consider cessation of confidence building initiatives like trade and travel across the LoC which would be disastrous for the people of the occupied territory.

It is high time that both countries and their masses realize that war mongering is not going to solve any problem and the only way forward is dialogue and engagement. This petition intends to explore the vitality of dialogue institution in India and Pakistan, therefore deserves attention, the PR concludes.