AMNESTY TO 9,730 STONEPELTERS

JAMMU:THE PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir has given its nod to the withdrawal of cases registered from 2008 to 2017 against 9,730 stone-pelters, including firsttime offenders.

A written reply by the chief minister (CM) Mehbooba Mufti to a query in legislative assembly here on Saturday stated that government action to withdraw 1,745 cases is subject to ‘certain conditions’ and is based on recommendations of a panel constituted to look into the matter.

Mehbooba, on Friday, had said in her speech that on amnesty to stone-pelters, the Centre and the state government was on the same page.

She said her government has also recommended to give amnesty to more than 4,000 people, who are said to be involved in minor incidents of stone-pelting over the past two years.

The written reply, however, did not disclose particulars of first-time offenders due to security considerations for them and their families.

A total of 3,773 cases were registered in 2016 and 2017, leading to arrest of 11,290 people, of whom 233 remained untraced. Seven cases were not admitted and 1,692 were charged, while 1,841 cases were under investigation.

It may be stated here that violent protests had erupted across Kashmir following the death of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani in July 2016, which led to the death of over 85 people in clashes with the security forces.

The written reply stated that while 2,904 cases were registered and 8,570 people were arrested in connection with stone-pelting incidents in 2016, the number of cases in 2017 dropped to 869 in which 2,720 people were arrested. The highest 2,330 people were arrested in Srinagar followed by 2,046 in Baramulla; 1,385 in Pulwama; 1,123 in Kupwara; 1,118 in Anantnag; 783 in Budgam; 714 in Ganderbal; 694 in Shopian; 548 in Bandipora; 547 in Kulgam and 2 in Doda during 2016 and 2017, she said.