After ceasefire, J&K villagers return home

With the Indian and Pakistani armies agreeing to uphold the 2003 ceasefire on the International Border, thousands of displaced villagers affected by the cross-border shelling are now returning home. Since the shelling began on May 15, more than 10 people were killed while scores others were injured.

"Around 80,000 people living on the borders were affected by the shelling. Most of the people were putting up with their relatives, but are now returning. We had around 3,000 people in our camps and they have started going back," said Hemant Kumar Sharma, divisional commissioner of Jammu.

Over the last few days, there has been a semblance of calm at the border, which has instilled confidence among the displaced people to return to their homes. What proved to be the proverbial icing on the cake was the talks between the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan pledging to implement the 2003 ceasefire in "letter and spirit".

"Wholeheartedly welcome the reiteration of the commitment to the ceasefire on the border by both DGMOs. This brings great relief to the people residing in the vicinity. Peace on our borders is the first essential step to a larger understanding and I truly hope it sustains," tweeted Mehbooba Mufti, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister.

Swarn Singh, Sarpanch of Suchetgarh village of RS Pura, said most of the families who had fled after the cross-border shelling have returned to their homes. "There were around 300 families who had fled the village. Since there has been no shelling for the last few days, the families have started returning to their homes. If peace prevails, all the families will return," said Singh.

Official figures revealed that within the first two months of this year, 633 ceasefire violations were recorded along the LoC and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir. Of these 432 incidents were reported from the Line of Control and 201 on the International Border.