Centre urges J&K govt to formulate new surrender and rehab policy

NEWDELHI: The Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) has advised the Jammu and Kashmir government to formulate a new “surrender and rehabilitation policy” for local youth who have joined various militant outfits.

A senior ministry official said the move was aimed to provide the youth with “economic rehabilitation and suitable training to run their own business so that they could return to the mainstream and lead a dignified life”.

Under the existing policy, militants who received training in Pakistan, were given an immediate grant and a monthly stipend, depending on the category, upon surrender.

However, most of the former militants who came under the scheme were those who had been active between 1989-2009. Under the policy, a militant would also receive grant for each weapon he would surrender to authorities.

The new policy has been introduced keeping in mind the new entrants in militancy, especially the ones after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, the official said.

As reported by HT earlier, the MHA and the state government were working on withdrawing cases and releasing thousands of young Kashmiris in jail for repeat offences of stone-pelting.

On Wednesday, another official confirmed that home minister Rajnath Singh had advised the Mehbooba Mufti-led government to constitute a high-level committee headed by an officer of the rank of director general or additional director general to review cases of stone pelting against the youth. Previously, only cases involving first-time offender were being reviewed.