Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said that around 4132 ultras were still living in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and no individual has returned to the State through the routes identified under the rehabilitation policy announced in November 2010.
In the written reply to the question of NPP MLA Harshdev Singh in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister said, “no exact details about the number of ultras in Pakistan/PoK are readily available. However, reportedly, there are approximately 4132 ultras still there”.
About the number of ultras returned to State under the rehabilitation policy announced by the State Government, the Chief Minister said, “no individual has returned from PoK/Pak to the State through the identified routes under the policy”, adding “during the past three years and current year up to January 31, 268 individuals along with their family members have returned via Nepal which is not a recognized route under the policy”.
He said that cases under the relevant provisions of the law have been registered against these individuals, adding 6 women along with 13 children but without their husbands returned via Nepal during 2012 and 2013. Of these, while husband of two ladies had already infiltrated through LoC and later on surrendered, husbands of three ladies have died a natural death and husband of one lady has reportedly gone to Italy.
About the number of militants whose relatives have approached the police and other agencies for facilitating the return and rehabilitation of their kin stranded in Pak/PoK, Omar Abdullah, who is also holding the portfolio of Home Department, said, “up to January 31, 2014, 1171 applications have been received on behalf of the prospective returnees, who are willing to return under the policy of 2010. Out of these, 422 cases have been recommended by different intelligence agencies”.
While the cases of 12 prospective returnees have been recommended to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the cases of 382 prospective returnees are under consideration in the Home Department for reference to the MHA, he said, adding “the cases of remaining 28 individuals have not been considered as they have returned via Nepal and are being dealt with in accordance with relevant provisions of law”.
It is pertinent to mention here that State Government notified the policy and procedure in November 2010 for the return of persons (prospective returnees), who belong to J&K and had crossed over to PoK/Pakistan for arms training but have given up violence due to change of their heart and are willing to return to the State to join the mainstream and contribute in State and nation building.
Under this policy, JCP Wagah, Attari, Saamabad, Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing on the Line of Control or the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi have been identified as routes for return of these individuals. However, none of such individuals have returned to the State via these approved routes.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel