Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): Bearing the brunt of repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan since March this year, residents living near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir have appealed for a Ramzan truce, to respect the sanctity of the fasting month and to adhere to the 2003 agreement.
The LoC in Kashmir has seen a spike in ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the last few weeks, particularly after a major infiltration bid was foiled by the Indian Army in Kupwara’s Keran sector earlier this month.
Pakistan has been trying to facilitate infiltration bids even as the whole world is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nishada Parveen, Block Development Council Chairman of Teethwal in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara said that whenever there is a ceasefire violation, people living close to LoC are subjected to immense problems.
“Since March this year, we have witnessed cross-LoC shelling and have borne the brunt. Our movement has got restricted and we have literally been caged in our homes,” she said.
Nishada also complained that no community bunkers have been constructed in the area so far for the safety of people.
Shahid Ahmad, a Sarnpach from Nambla area of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district also said that no community bunker has been constructed in the area to provide safety to the residents during shelling.
“Even in the time of Covid-19 pandemic, there is no respite for the people living close to LoC in north Kashmir. Whenever there is exchange of fire, we fear for our lives and our livestock,” he said.
Abdur Rasheed Kataria, a resident of Timuna-Vilgam in Chowkibal in Kupwara district, where heavy shelling by Pakistan recently claimed the lives of three civilians including a child, has appealed for peace. “Let us fast in peace. Let there be no exchange of fire or shells this month at least and let peace prevail for the rest of the year,” he said.
