The Jammu and Kashmir chief minister on Monday sought a proper mechanism for surrender and rehabilitation of militants currently camping in Pakistan-controlled territory.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday sought a proper mechanism for surrender and rehabilitation of militants currently camping in Pakistan-controlled territory.
Addressing the conference of chief ministers on internal security, he flagged that off late, some youth were using Nepal route to return to their homes. He expressed fear that they may again join militancy, in the absence of any proper mechanism.
At the conference, chief ministers of UP and Uttarakhand also raised the issue of the Indo-Nepal border emerging as possible entry points for “anti-national” elements. “I would like to draw the attention of the Centre for establishing adequate number of integrated check-posts and special police arrangements to control any possible anti-national activities,” said Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav.
Sources in J&K government say around 65 youth have returned using Nepal route. Amongst these, reports say, at least five from Sopore region have re-joined militancy.
Abdullah reminded the Centre that under the rehabilitation policy announced in 2010, his government had received 1,034 applications. “Of these, 67 cases have been recommended in high level committee meetings,” he said but lamented that he was still awaiting a decision from the Central government.
Maintaining that militancy-related incidents have declined by over 30 per cent, he also made a case for withdrawing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from areas not affected by militancy anymore.
The Centre says there are “practical issues” involved in implementing the rehabilitation policy for militants as well as revocation of the AFSPA.
According to sources in the J&K police, the youth returning from Nepal are booked under the Egress and Internal Movement Control Act (EIMCA). “Most of them are being bailed out by courts,” they said.
However they also say that the processing of application of militants desiring to return from Pakistan is an uphill task. The applications are scrutinised right from the level of the SHO and passes through many hands including the CID headquarters before landing at the door of the central intelligence agencies.
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