SRINAGAR: The PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday disclosed that over 4000 militants and missing people of the State are still in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PaK).
In a written reply to a question by BJP MLA Rajesh Gupta, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who also holds Home portfolio, informed the Legislative Assembly that 4,088 militants and missing people of the State are still in Pakistan and PaK.
The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) and human rights groups in Valley have been alleging that over 8000 youth have gone missing after the eruption of militancy in 1989.
In reply to a query about how many ex-militants and their family members have returned to the State after J&K government announced Rehabilitation policy for militants in 2010, Mehbooba said as per the details furnished by CID, 377 ex-militants along with their 864 family members have returned via Nepal and Bangladesh route since 2010.
After consultation with central government, the then Omar Abdullah led NC-Congress government had in 2010 announced Rehabilitation policy for the Kashmiri youth, who had crossed to another side of LoC for arms training after 1989 and were willing to return to their natives place.
According to officials, only those who crossed over to PaK and Pakistan between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 2009, and their dependants will be eligible for consideration under the policy.
Mehbooba said the rehabilitation policy announced in 2010 for the return of Kashmiri youth, who had undergone across the LoC to undergo arms training, recognized four routes for the return of ex-militants.
The routes are JCP Wagah/Attari, Salamabad/Chakkandabagh Crossing on the LoC and through the Indira Gandhi International airport, New Delhi, she said.
“However, since the inception of this policy, no youth has been able to return vide to approved routes due to inexplicable reasons/difficulties. The youth have been returning to the State along with their families (wives/children) via Nepal and Bangladesh routes, which are not approved routes under the policy,” the CM said.
She said since 377 ex-militants along with their 864 family members have not returned vide the approved routes, they are not entitled to any benefit available under the Rehab policy.