‘Not a single person returned under rehabilitation policy in J&K’

Not a single person has returned from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under the rehabilitation policy for former militants since it was announced three years ago, the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said.

‘Due to some inexplicable reasons, no individual has returned from Pak/PoK to the state through the routes identified under the policy so far. Therefore, the benefit of the policy could not be extended to any of the individuals,’ the chief minister said in a written reply to question in the state Assembly.

Leader of Opposition Mehbooba Mufti had asked the government to provide details of the number of youths who have returned from Pakistan under the rehabilitation policy announced in 2010 and the benefits provided to them.

Omar, in his reply said, 277 persons and their 578 family members had returned home via Nepal, which is not an approved route for return under the policy.

‘Besides, five ladies who had exfiltrated earlier have returned along with 10 children. Their cases are being dealt with in accordance with law,’ he added. 

The chief minister said 1,171 applications have been received on behalf of persons who are willing to return under the rehabilitation policy.

‘Out of these, 12 cases, after clearance by the high level committee constituted vide the policy, have been recommended to the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs for further necessary action,’ he said.

He said, 386 cases are under examination in the state home department while applications of 24 individuals could not be considered by the high-level committee as they had returned via Nepal.

‘The rest of the applications are being scrutinised and verified by the intelligence agencies,’ he added.