By IANS,
Mumbai: Indian and Pakistani peace activists Wednesday condemned the exchange of firing across the border and the killing of two Indian soldiers and a Pakistani trooper across the Line of Control (LoC).
In a signed statement, the peaceniks termed the incident as “highly deplorable and no sane persons or society can accept such unwarranted and gruesome incidences”.
“The incidents have a potential to derail the ongoing peace process that has shown remarkable progress in recent times in easing the visa regime, improving trade relations and securing many other confidence building measures that hold great promise for both countries,” the statement said.
Expressing happiness that the directors-general of military operations of both countries have spoken with each other after the incidents, the peaceniks urged for evolving suitable mechanisms to ensure that the concerned authorities stay in constant touch to avert any such incidents rather than meeting after the damage is done.
They urged the two countries to initiate action against those responsible and ensure that such incidents are not repeated as they would only help war-mongers when the need of the hour is to take forward the peace process.
The signatories also expressed hope that the incidents would not derail the ongoing dialogue between the two countries and other measures to secure complete friendship and peace.
The signatories from India include former Indian Navy chief Admiral (retd) L. Ramdas and film-maker Mahesh Bhatt.
From Pakistan, the signatories include Dr. A.H. Hayyar, peace activist and president of Pakistan Peace Coalition and I.A. Rahman, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.