| Revisiting Vajpayee's Nov 19, 2000 unilateral ceasefire declaration | | 445 civilians, 233 jawans lost lives | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, May 11: It was on November 19, 2000 that the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee sprung a big surprise. That day, he made a unilateral declaration of ceasefire of combat operations against terrorists in J&K. He announced that the ceasefire would be for a period of one month: Month of Ramadan. Vajpayee extended the period of ceasefire three times. The first extension was announced on December 28, 2000. The second was announced on January 27, 2001. And the third and the final extension was announced on February 27, 2001. It continued till May 31, 2001. Taken together, the ceasefire continued for 6 months and 11 days.
It was on January 23, 2001 that the Government of India made a statement on the ceasefire. It reads: "the initiative for peace taken by the Prime Minister on the eve of the holy month of Ramzan was despite heinous acts of terrorism and violence against innocent men, women and children, extended by month thereafter to coincide with the Republic Day, 2001. The government today reviewed the entire security scenario of J&K, particularly acts of cross border terrorism and their crimes against civilian population. It is regrettable that Pakistan has not recognized the demand of time for peace and continues to promote, encourage and abet cross border terrorism. This must cease and the activities of organizations like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaishe-e-Mohammad curbed and controlled by Pakistan. The government believes violence must be ended by peace - which has been welcomed by the people of J&K. The present phase of peace in J&K is being, in that hope, extended by another month".
Was there peace in Kashmir after the announcement and enforcement of ceasefire? The official statistics in this regard are frightening. There was no peace in Kashmir during the ceasefire period. The period between January 1 and May 31, 2001 witnessed a total of 1221 casualties. As per official statistics, 445 civilians and 233 security personnel lost their lives. The security forces also liquidated 543 terrorists. In other words, the number of civilians and security forces personnel killed between January 1 and May 31, 2001 was more as compared with terrorists: 678, as against 543 terrorists, including foreigners and local.
The total number of persons, including civilians and security forces personnel, was 1433. These included 547 security forces personnel and 886 civilians.
Besides, Srinagar Airport had also witnessed a major terror attack during the period of mind-boggling ceasefire.
It will be seen with keen interest if the Narendra Modi Government revisited November 2000 or not before taking a final call on the unilateral ceasefire suggestion given by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and supported by the NC, the Congress, the CPIM and all independent law-makers from Kashmir. |
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