2300 missing in J&K: Omar

SRINAGAR, Oct 8:
Jammu and Kashmir Government today said more than 2,300 persons have been declared “missing” in the State even as efforts were on to trace them.
“As per the inputs furnished by the concerned District Development Commissioners, 2,305 persons have been declared missing,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Home portfolio, said in a written reply to a question by MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigami.
Omar said FIRs have been registered in 182 cases while “missing reports” have been lodged in most of the remaining cases.
“Ex-gratia relief has been paid in 729 cases, benefit of compassionate appointment has been given in 58 cases and cash in lieu of Government jobs has been paid in 65 cases,” he added.
He said all out efforts are being by the concerned agencies to trace the missing persons.
Replying to the part of question pertaining to rehabilitation of families of the disappeared persons, he said the issue was discussed at the State Rehabilitation Council meeting held in August this year.
“It has been decided to initiate an exercise for establishment of the exact number of missing persons, widows and their children and dependents before taking a decision on their rehabilitation,” he added.
On the setting up of Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Omar said he had shared the idea of having such a commission with the House during the Budget session of the Assembly last year.
“The constitution of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir would required wider consultation and a broad consensus among all the stake holders,” he added. (PTI)