EAM to approach Embassies of 3 nations
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approached the External Affairs Ministry (EAM) for deportation of around 25 militants and other prisoners of three neighbouring countries including hostile Pakistan, Myanmar and Bangladesh as their prolonged stay in different jails of the State, is being perceived as “security risk” especially in the wake of day-light escape of Naveed Jatt, a dreaded terrorist of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit, from Srinagar hospital few days back.
Official sources told the Excelsior that there were around 25 militants and prisoners from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, who have been kept in different jails under the Public Safety Act (PSA) after they had completed the term of the sentence given to them by the courts for the offences committed by them including subversive activities, illegal border crossing, drug trafficking etc.
“We have written to the External Affairs Ministry through the official channels mentioning details of terrorists and prisoners, whose cases were fit for deportation to their countries, to take up the issue with Embassies of Pakistan, Myanmar and Bangladeshis on the ground that their prolonged stay in the jails of Jammu and Kashmir is not in the interest of the State,” sources said, adding that the External Affairs Ministry has been asked to take up the matter urgently with Embassies of three nations to ensure early deportation of the foreigners.
The SOS from Jammu and Kashmir Government to the External Affairs Ministry, headed by Sushma Swaraj, comes close on the heels of escape of dreaded Pakistani terrorist of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit, Naveed Jatt from Srinagar jail after broad day-light shoot-out and reports that Srinagar Jail had become hub of recruitment of the militants.
“Security audit of all jails of Jammu and Kashmir is already on under the instructions of Union Home Ministry and Jammu and Kashmir Government to prevent Naveed Jatt like escape in future,” sources pointed out.
Sources, however, declined to share name of the militants and prisoners and the jails they were lodged in view of “security considerations” but put their number “around 25”. They said majority of them were Pakistani militants while few others belonged to Bangladesh and Myanmar.
“All Pakistani nationals were terrorists while those hailing from Bangladesh and Myanmar were involved in either illegal border crossing, drug trafficking or other such activities,” sources disclosed.
The Pakistani militants, due for deportation, belonged to different outfits including Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen and had operated in different areas of Jammu and Kashmir before being arrested by security forces. After challan, they were convicted by various courts of law and have now completed their sentences.
Sources attributed delay in deportation of foreign criminals to “non-cooperative attitude” of Pakistan and Myanmar Governments but noted that Bangladesh Government was quite liberal in this regard, mainly due to good friendly relations with India.
While Pakistan, most of the times, refuse to recognize their nationals despite being given very “credible evidence” especially those, who were involved in major terror acts, Myanmar outrightly refused to take back their nationals. However, it was only Bangladesh which accepts their nationals and agrees for their deportation after their nationality is established.
Sources said the State Government has cited that any prolonged stay of foreign nationals especially Pakistani could pose “security threat” and it would be in the interest of the State that they are deported to their countries as they were no more wanted in any terror or other kind of activities here.
Some time back, the State Government had deported 30 Pakistani terrorists to their country after several months long exercise as the Pakistan Government had confirmed them as their nationals and agreed to take them back.
Sources said the External Affairs Ministry would revert to the State Government only when they receive conformational of nationality by the neighbouring countries.
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