Border residents thank PM Modi after LoC ceasefire commitment

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<strong>The latest ceasefire commitment between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) has brought a sense of relief for the residents of several villages in the border areas. </strong></p>
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Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) from both the sides had announced the agreement reaffirming the ceasefire last Thursday.</p>
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Their joint statement said that after a "free, frank and cordial" assessment of the situation along the border, they agreed "in the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders. The two DGMO agreed to address each other's core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence".</p>
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The move has been welcomed by the residents in the region, especially those who have suffered for decades due to constant shelling from the Pakistani side. </p>
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“We used to be terrified to leave our houses. People rarely left their homes to go to work and schools have been closed for over a year and a half because we didn’t want our children to leave the house. I can point out several houses that have bullet holes on doors and walls. I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his consideration for the people living in the border areas,” Haji Mohd Shafi Naib, Sarpanch of the Pukharni village in Rajouri, told ANI while describing the grim conditions of the people in the village, saying that many used to be terrified to leave their homes due to constant fear.</p>
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He added: “We have lost several villagers to cross-border firing and many have lost legs, hands and eyes. Now, we can finally sleep and work in peace.”</p>
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Another woman, Sharifa Begum who lost her older brother to a firing at the border told the news agency that now her children can sleep in peace and focus on their education.</p>
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“I am glad that I can now start a new life and feel safe in my home. We are very grateful to the Modi government for the decision. I lost my older brother to such firing incidents a few years ago."</p>
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While welcoming the joint statement to observe the ceasefire along the LoC, the new Joe Biden administration in the United States had said that it expected Pakistan to play a "constructive role" in Kashmir.</p>
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"We have been very clear that we condemn the terrorists who seek to infiltrate across the Line of Control. We encourage continued efforts to improve communication between the two sides and to reduce tensions and violence along the Line of Control," said State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.</p>
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<em>(With agency inputs)</em></p>