New Delhi (IANS): In order to keep Kashmiri youths away from terror activities and maintain peace and normalcy in the Valley, the Home Ministry has asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to formulate a new surrender and rehabilitation policy vis-a-vis militants and set up a high-level committee to review stone-pelting cases against students, an official said on Wednesday.
In the communication, the Ministry also advised the state government to close or withdraw stone-pelting cases against students in which no grievous injuries occurred, so that they get a chance to focus on their studies and pursue their career without any psychological pressure.
The Ministry said that an opportunity should be given to those who have joined militancy.
The new surrender and rehabilitation policy will provide Kashmiri youths with economic rehabilitation and suitable training to run their own businesses, enabling them to return to the mainstream and lead a dignified life, a Ministry official said, requesting anonymity.
The Ministry also asked the state government to constitute a high-level committee, headed by an officer of the rank of Director General of Police or Additional Director General of Police, to review cases of stone-pelting against students and other youths.
The move comes within two months of the Jammu and Kashmir government’s announcement of an amnesty scheme for students and youths involved in stone-pelting for the first time.
Under the scheme, initiated at the request of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, about 3,685 students and youths have got relief while more than 9,000 youngsters are likely to be covered under it.
The Home Ministry, in its fresh communication, also advised the state government to immediately set up an advisory board for migrants to redress their grievances, including Kashmiri migrants, Jammu migrants, displaced persons of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Chamba and the West Pakistan refugees.
The communication also said that dilapidated migrant camps at Jagati and Talwara would be repaired and that the renovation of an artificial lake in Jammu would be restarted soon.