Jammu and Kashmir police reached out to the misguided stone throwers and offered them help in their quest for education in a bid to wean them away from anti-national and anti-social activities.

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Anantnag police is leading the initiative and organised a counselling session for the misguided youth who had been instigated by unscrupulous elements to pelt stones at security forces.

"Anantnag Police holds counselling session for youth who were instigated and misguided by unscrupulous elements of society for pelting stones on security forces," tweeted Anantnag police.

After identifying the vulnerable youth, police officers invited them and their parents to District Police Lines where a detailed counselling session was conducted. "Youth were made aware of their capabilities and potential, as well as ways and means to realise their talents so that they would become productive assets for the society," said a police spokesman.

Police said they assured the youth of Anantnag and their parents of full support.

"Anantnag police will be facilitating them in their studies and other sports activities as well as provide financial assistance to the needy ones. The parents and general public of the district thanked police for this fruitful event," the spokesman said.

Official figures reveal that the previous Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government approved amnesty for 9,730 youth involved in different incidents of law and order in Kashmir valley since 2008.

In a written reply in the Legislative Assembly in February, Mehbooba had said that her government has approved the withdrawal of 1,745 cases in respect of 9,730 persons/youth/first time offenders with the permission of the trial courts subject to certain conditions.Data presented in the House said around 3,773 cases were registered in 2016 and 2017 in which 11,290 people were arrested. Around 233 remained untraced. Seven cases were not admitted and 1,692 were charged, while 1,841 cases were under investigation.

Around 2,904 cases were registered and 8,570 people were arrested in connection with stone- pelting incidents in 2016. Around 869 cases were registered in 2017 in which 2,720 people were arrested.

Around 2,330 people were arrested in Srinagar followed by 2,046 in Baramulla, 1,385 in Pulwama, 1,123 in Kupwara, 1,118 in Anantnag, 783 in Budgam, 714 in Ganderbal, 694 in Shopian, 548 in Bandipora, 547 in Kulgam and two in Doda districts during 2016 and 2017.