KL desk
October 8, 2012
Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said more than 2,300 persons had been declared “missing” in the state even as efforts were on to trace them.
“As per the inputs furnished by the concerned district development commissioners, 2,305 persons have been declared missing,” chief minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the home portfolio, said in a written reply to a question by MLA Kulgam MY Tarigami.
Omar said FIRs had been registered in 182 cases while “missing reports” had been lodged in most of the remaining cases. “Ex-gratia relief has been paid in 729 cases, benefit of compassionate appointment has been given in 58 cases and cash in lieu of government jobs has been paid in 65 cases,” he added.
He said all efforts were being done by the concerned agencies to trace the missing persons.
Replying to the part of question pertaining to rehabilitation of families of the disappeared persons, he said the issue was discussed at the State Rehabilitation Council meeting held in August this year.
So far no survey has been conducted to determine the number of widows as a consequence of aforesaid disappearances. But Rehabilitation council of social welfare department had conducted a survey, in the year 2007-2008, and it was revealed that the number of widows, orphans and handicapped is 36,600 which includes 6345 widows of civilians, 2266 widows of militants, 20707 orphans of civilians, 5379 orphans of militants and 1903 disabled/handicapped persons. Financial assistance is being provided to them in the shape of pension, scholarship and marriage assistance.
“It has been decided to initiate an exercise for establishment of the exact number of missing persons, widows and their children and dependents before taking a decision on their rehabilitation,” he added.
On the setting up of Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Omar said he had shared the idea of having such a commission with the house during the budget session of the assembly last year.
“The constitution of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir would require wider consultation and a broad consensus among all the stake holders,” he added.
