SHAH ABBAS
SRINAGAR
Perhaps for the first time, the J&K government disclosed that the number of youth who have crossed to the other side for arms training and are staying put stands at 3084. It includes 824 youth who are were believed to have been missing back home but government says they have joined militant ranks.
The information was revealed in the state legislative council by the government in response to a question of Ravinder Kumar Sharma. The government said that they have initiated the policy of getting the wiling youth back if they want to live a peaceful life.
So far, the government said 123 persons have returned from PaK from Nepal and other routes in wake of the government Rehabilitation Policy. “During the last two years,123 persons have reportedly returned from PaK via Nepal and other routes. Out of these, 90 have brought families along with them,” government said. Government however did not disclose the details of such persons termed it inappropriate.
The house was informed that government has received 1082 application so for on behalf of the persons stationed in PaK who intend to return under rehabilitation policy. So far, the security agencies have cleared 219 cases and the rest of the requests are under various stages of scrutiny and verification.
“The state government, in consultation with the government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, has notified a policy for the return and rehabilitation of the youth willing to return to J&K,” the government affirmed.
Government also stated that presently there are 3084 militants in Pak who belong to this part of Kashmir. Giving details about the missing persons of the state, government said that 824 missing youth from different districts have joined militancy.
The human rights organizations, active in Kashmir put the number of missing people between 8 to 10 thousands. The rights activists accuse that majority of the missing people were arrested by the government forces and disappeared in custody.
