India: Govt announces amnesty to Kashmiri militants in PoK camps

In a clear snub to Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who had called the proposal to allow Kashmiri militants in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to return home as “unworkable”, Home minister P Chidambaram has favoured the idea. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had ticked off Azad on the ground that Azad’s Ministry was not concerned with the issue.

The announcement by Chidambaram on Thursday, is seen as a major confidence building measure for Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre said it will grant amnesty to Kashmiri militants in PoK training camps who want to surrender and return home.

“This idea [amnesty] must now translate into reality. Now, we’ll have to discuss how to screen the boys, bring them home, debrief them, rehabilitate and reintegrate them into the mainstream,” Chidambaram said.

The state government has created a set of guidelines for the rehabilitation. The J&K government has sent the Centre a preliminary draft of guidelines. “We will consult all stakeholders and discuss the matter with the leader of the opposition and two main opposition parties in J&K — the PDP and the BJP,” Chidambaram said.

The guidelines framed by the state government are:

• Militants wanting to surrender will be accepted after a background check by police

• Those who’ve married across the LoC will not be allowed to return with wives unless Indian high commission in Islamabad permits it

• They will be quarantined for a month, interrogated and will have to report to a police station every week

• Security forces will keep a list of surrendered militants and monitor their activities

• No criminal case against them will be withdrawn

• They will not get a financial rehabilitation package, but can join govt-sponsored vocational training courses

• Rehab package can be given if they behave well

• State police will be in the loop about every militant

• People who want their children to return will have to contact the additional DIG of the J&K criminal investigation department

• Surrendered militants will have to take an oath before the authorities to shun militancy

• The verification process will eliminate those who are not involved in militancy but want the financial package

• Non-militants will have to approach diplomatic channels through home and external affairs ministries. They can seek help from Indian mission in Islamabad

• Cases filed for illegal border-crossing will continue

- Asian Tribune -