In a bid to create conducive atmosphere for sustained dialogue process led by Centres’ special representative Dineshwar Sharma in the coming weeks, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday approved withdrawal of cases against 4,327 youth involved in 744 cases of law and order (incidents of stone pelting/arson).
During his maiden visit to the State, Dineshwar Sharma was approached by several political leaders and local socio-political organisations with the request to recommend withdrawal of cases against those who are not habitual offenders and were booked by the State police in different incidents of stone-pelting.
The formal decision was announced after a high-powered committee headed by Director General of Police submitted its report to the office of Chief Minister on wednesday recommending withdrawal of cases against these youth.
"The state police chief has been asked to regularly monitor the progress in the matter and furnish back a fortnightly report in this regard, reads a communication from the Home Department to the DGP sent late this evening.
Soon after assuming charge in March 2016 Mehbooba Mufti had set on a process of review of cases against youth from 2008 to 2014 and in the first instance 104 cases involving 634 youth were withdrawn within two months of her assuming power. The process, unfortunately, got disrupted due to the continued violence and unrest for later part of the last year.
The total number of cases withdrawn so far on the directions of the Chief Minister has gone to 848 and the persons benefitting out of these withdrawals stand at 4957.
Mehbooba Mufti recently has also directed review of cases from 2015-2017(till date) and decision on the same would be taken on the receipt of report by the high powered committee.
The Chief Minister described today’s decision as a ray of hope for these young boys and their families terming it as an opportunity for them to rebuild their lives. She hoped the decision would help in creating a positive and conciliatory atmosphere in the State where the youth would be able to build their lives in a much more constructive and positive way.
In the aftermath of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July 2016 a total number of 76 civilians and 2 security personnel lost their lives and a total number of 2655 FIR's were registered against those involved in unlawful activities.
According to official sources, "a total number of 53 government properties including Panchayat ghar, police pickets, schools, private property were damaged and 80 structures were set ablaze during prolonged cycle of violence".
8587 accused were arrested, out of whom 8473 were released till January 22, 2017, official sources said.
In 2011 a similar amnesty scheme was announced by the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and he had labelled the gesture as Eid Gift for the youngsters who were motivated /lured by professional stone pelters to accompany them.
At that time a total number of 1,300 cases were registered but less than 100 of these were related to incidents of arson. Official sources said, "76 government buildings were set afire, while 38 others were damaged. Sixteen private buildings were also set ablaze, while 18 others were damaged.
62 vehicles, including 37 owned by the government, were burnt down while 160 other vehicles were damaged during protests.
