NL Correspondent
SRINAGAR: Government on Tuesday revealed that as many as 4587 youth have crossed the Line of Control to receive arms training and among them only 489 have returned along with their wives through Nepal border from 2003.
It contributes to the 10 percent of the youth who had crossed over to the Pakistan occupied Kashmir and have returned under government's rehabilitation policy through Nepal route. Government informed that 15 of the youth have returned since January, 2015.
State Home Minister in a written response to a question in the Lower House said the government has sanctioned a policy of rehabilitation of' “mis-guided youth” who have crossed to PoK and have given up insurgent activities .
It informed that 4587 youth had crossed the Line of Control among whom 489 youth along with their wives and children have returned through the Nepal border from 2003.
“The State Government has sanctioned a Policy and Procedure for rehabilitation of mis-guided youth, who have crossed to PoK/Pak but have given up insurgent activities due to change of heart and are willing to return to the State,” the reply reads.
“The said policy recognizes four routes for return of the misguided youth. Nepal is not an approved route under this Policy,” it added.
The details were sought by the former chief Minister and National Conference working president who during his tenure has implemented this policy to facilitate the return of local youth from Pakistan.
In response to a another question regarding the taken to facilitate the return of youth through Nepal route, state government said the Ministry of Home Affairs has asked for its comments on the inclusion of Nepal route as an “additional entry policy” under the policy. “The State Government has recently forwarded its comments to the Ministry of Home Affairs,” state home minister said.
Further in a written reply to a question by BJP legislator Rajesh Gupta regarding the status of militancy in the state, the government informed that as many as 145 militants including 54 foreigners are presently active in the state.
“Reportedly 145 militants are active in the state, out of which 54 are foreigners and 91 locals,” it said.
