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| Rehabilitation policy mooted by Omar finally through vCabinet okays 'safe passage' for return of youth in POK | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Nov 22: It is now officially through. In a significant decision that was awaited for quite some time, the Omar Abdullah led state cabinet today gave a formal nod to the Surrender cum Rehabilitation policy aimed at facilitating return of the youth who had crossed over to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) from 1989 onwards for receiving arms training under various banners of militant outfits. The policy mooted by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already been approved by the Centre, under what it intends to grant amnesty to the youth who are willing to come back and settle in home towns as 'normal, peace loving' citizens.
The decision with regard to policy, draft of which was already ready, was approved by the cabinet which met here in winter capital after a long gap under the chairmanship of Omar Abdullah. The Chief Minister first made his intentions on this vital issue public early this year following which it asked the Centre to consider the proposal of the coalition government with new contours, some of them different from the policy adopted during Mufti Syed led coalition era in the state. In fact the Centre, perhaps for the first time agreed to formulate general amnesty plan for Kashmir youth who have crossed over the years including the ones who are still undergoing training in many camps in POK, albeit on the condition that there has to be willingness on the part of youth for home coming for leading a peaceful and normal life, implying that they shall have to denounce militancy if they want to take benefit of rehabilitation plan.
The policy which has been approved by the Centre envisages that only those youth can be a part of the policy who want to join the mainstream and shun the path of violence for ever. In other words, they would certainly not be allowed to come back with weapons, whatsoever nor permitted to take it up again once they are given what has been described in the official parlance as 'safe passage' for return. While the state government in consultation with the Centre has already finalized the guidelines for the policy, various agencies are already on job to work out certain contentious issues with regard to the nature of crimes committed by these 'misguided' youth ….there may be many who crossed the border as they were misguided under euphoric sentiments......there are some who have clean record as far as violence is concerned……..", said a minister wishing not be named, while endorsing the policy contending it is mainly for those who are repentant and wish to return home. Even though this is being viewed largely as political demand of Omar Abdullah converted finally into a measure loaded with far reaching implications, in terms of the impact on traumatized masses of the Kashmir, observers have it to say the step finally through would certainly go a long way in giving some befeit and respite to the Chief minister, exhausted and tired on many fronts while dealing with long spell of recent unrest.
While the vital part of the policy that was given nod by the cabinet remains safe passage or opening up of the channels for return of Kashmiri youth who the government says feel 'stranded' in POK, the post return phase also incorporates giving them some incentives for starting afresh as normal citizens. The first step of return shall have to be necessarily guaranteed by the parents that their wards want to return for which they shall have to apply through official format, albeit after thorough scrutiny of the security agencies and police. This will be followed by rehabilitation which incorporates counseling, trainings etc to enable the youth to earn livelihood for the families. |
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