NEW DELHI, Jan 12: Panic-stricken residents of Poonch along the Indian-held stretch of Line of Control (LoC) urged India and Pakistan on Saturday to restrain their armies from firing at each.

They said the recent violations of the 2003 ceasefire agreement by both sides had revived memories of the days when relentless shelling across the LoC wrought incalculable death and destruction on both sides.

“For the people residing alongside 103km LoC in Poonch region, ceasefire of 26 November 2003 had brought peace, security and created a conducive atmosphere for development in border areas,” a statement by residents of homes hugging the LoC said.

“However in last few days this peaceful atmosphere has been disturbed due to unfortunate incidents of firing and brutal killings across the LoC at various places in Poonch and Uri areas. These incidents have shaken the confidence of the people.

“There is a lot of tension and panic among the public. We the people of border areas who have enjoyed the fruit of peace and the LoC CBMs following the ceasefire…do not want the escalation of the situation and lives being disturbed as a result of more killings,” the statement said.

Signatories to the appeal included Kashmiri lawyers, traders, religious leaders and peace activists from Hindu, Sikh and Muslim communities.

“The members of civil society of Poonch would like to make a humble appeal to Governments of India and Pakistan to take immediate steps towards the restoration of peace on the LoC and implement in letter and spirit the ceasefire agreement of November 26, 2003,” the statement said.

It urged that all efforts be made to defuse the tension on the LoC and restore trade venture and weekly bus service from Poonch-Rawalakot route “so that we the people of border areas can live in our houses and localities near the LoC with a sense of peace and security in conducive atmosphere. This, we believe is in the utmost interest of the people residing on both the sides of LoC”.

Prior to the ceasefire the people and their needs had remained neglected for 58 years, due to continued firing and shelling across the LoC. “These conditions had subjected the people to limitless pain and sorrow, death and injuries and filled their life with miseries and tension before ceasefire.”

“For the first time after 58 years, the people of border areas got relief from war-like situation. When the LoC CBMs were introduced in 2005, and the cross-LoC bus service started, it provided opportunities for the divided families to meet their relatives after decades.”

In 2008 traders from both side of the LoC were able to establish trade relations. “Thus an atmosphere of peace and hope was created during the past ten years and the people residing alongside the LoC started the journey of progress and prosperity,” the statement said.