Jammu, Jan 13 (IANS): The civil society in Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir Saturday appealed to the governments of India and Pakistan to restore peace and respect the 2003 ceasefire agreement amid tension on the Line of Control (LoC) over the killing of two Indian soldiers by the Pakistan army.

In a written appeal, prominent citizens of the town, around 230 km from here, said: "For the people of Poonch region as others living close to the LoC, the ceasefire (agreement of November 2003) brought peace, security and created atmosphere for development in the border areas."

They said before the ceasefire, the socio-economic needs of people living near the LoC were neglected due to continuous firing and shelling.

"This subjected people to pain, sorrow, death, injuries and miseries and they had to migrate frequently to safer places," the appeal said.

It was only after the ceasefire that people living found relief from the war-like situation.

"Thus an atmosphere of peace and hope was created during the past 10 years," it said.

"The peaceful atmosphere has been disturbed due to unfortunate incidents of firing and brutal killings across the LoC at Poonch and Uri areas. Besides shaking confidence of the people, this has created lot of tension and panic," said the appeal.

"Members of the civil society make an 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," it said.