Youths in large numbers return to the valley from Pak; Home Minister P. Chidambaram visit to Jammu and Kashmir grounds AFSPA revocation move; Shutdown observed in Kargil; Youths arrested in Pampore, South Kashmir for alleged involvement in stone pelting
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    • (April 9-15, 2012)

    According to reports, as many as 52 youth from various districts of Jammu and Kashmir, who had crossed the line of control for arms training in early nineties, have returned to their home since the announcement of rehabilitation policy by Omar Abdullah-led coalition government.
    The state government had announced the rehabilitation policy for all those youth who crossed over to Pak following eruption of militancy and are now eager to return and settle as normal citizens. 1

    In another development, reports noted that almost grounding the much hyped proposal of the Jammu and Kashmir government on partial revocation of the ‘contentious’ Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said his ministry was considering three amendments to be incorporated in the Act. Accompanied by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Home Minister chaired a high level meeting at the official residence of the Chief Minister to take stock of the security situation and law and order, especially in view of the ensuing summer months and Amarnath Yatra. The meeting reviewed various measures on anti-militancy front, such as cross-border infiltration, synergy between various security agencies and anti-militancy operations. 2

    Meanwhile, reports noted that a complete shutdown was observed in Kargil on April 15, 2012 in protest against the recent violence in Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. Responding to a bandh call by Anjuman-e-Jamiyatul Ulima Asna Ashriya (Islamia School Kargil) to express solidarity with the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, all shops and business establishments in the town remained closed and vehicles kept off the roads. People from many villages in Kargil district assembled at Islamia School Kargil carrying black flags and placards and chanting slogans against the killings in the region. Nayib Imam Jumma of Islamia School Kargil, Hujattul Islam Sheikh Hussain Mukaddas, appealed to Government of India to intervene and help stop the killings in the region. 3

    In other developments, according to reports, police in Pampore area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district have arrested seven youth for their alleged involvement in a stone pelting incident during a recent shutdown call given by Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Families of the arrested youth have alleged that their wards were innocent and police was harassing them. They have demanded immediate release of youth. 4

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