Jammu, February 17 (Scoop News)- Indian Home Minister Mr.P. Chidambaram today said that the idea of facilitating return of the Kashmiri youth to normal life who had crossed over to PoK but renounced militancy is an accepted idea. “J&K State government is framing a policy where under the aspects of identification, screening, facilitation to return, debriefing, rehabilitation and integration in the society have been identified for factoring in the policy. I have asked the state government to workout the draft as soon as possible”, he said added that similar policy exists in North-East states and even for Naxals who want to come to mainstream.
Addressing a jam packed press conference jointly with the Chief Minister,. Omar Abdullah,in Jammu, Chidambaram added that in 1997-98 CRPF recruited a battalion of surrendered militants who returned to mainstream and similarly BSF recruited 450 surrendered militants. “As I told in Delhi, I am repeating that nothing will be done in haste but through a carefully and thoroughly checked and worked out procedure”, he explained.
Expressing satisfaction over the improvement in security scenario in the state, the Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram today said that situation in Jammu region especially south of Pir Panchal the situation is improved to a greater degree while as it is under control in north of Pir Panchal.Chidambaram said “we have re-emphasized our policy of zero tolerance for human rights violations”, adding that the action taken against the BSF personnel in the incident of Nishat, where a young boy was shot at, is a good example of our delivering on the promise.
He said that after Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah brought the matter to his notice, he promised to identify the accused security personnel within 48 hours and the promise was fulfilled accordingly. “The accused BSF personnel was suspended and handed over to the state police. The Commandant has also been suspended. It is now up to the investigating agency to find out the responsible”, he added.
The Union Home Minister said that security forces are rendering commendable service and adhering to the advice given to them in dealing with the situations. “They have accordingly shown the tactics and vision when a militant recently escaped and the forces decided to pick him up on next time of opportunity. We will continue to insist on zero tolerance against human rights violation”, he added.
Chidambaram said that during the two hours long Unified Headquarters meeting and the subsequent meeting with the administrative secretaries of the state government, he discussed the security related part of PP also. He said issues of construction of tenements, creation of jobs, vacation of the buildings by the security forces etc came up for discussion. “There has undoubtedly been progress on these matters”, he added.
In reply to a question, Chidambaram said that central government would provide full security to every player, coach and official who comes here to participate in sports like hockey, cricket or in Commonwealth Games.
In a press conference while replying to a senior journalist for speaking in Hindi, Indian home minister catogaricly refused to speak in Hindi, P Chidambaram said, “I can not speak in Hindi.”
Addressing the press conference, the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah expressed his gratitude to Home Minister for the support he has extended in tracing out the accused killer of Nishat boy. “We have received unprecedented and whole-hearted support in this regard”, he added saying that investigation is going on and when required Commandant will be also questioned. “There is no hold-up or road block in the matter”
In reply to a question, Omar said that the issue of rehabilitation of the militants who crossed over to PoK, renounced militancy and want to live a normal life, is a humanitarian issue and there is nothing sinister or dangerous in the policy of surrender and rehabilitation being worked out by the state government. “All checks and balances are being built in the policy”, he said adding that this will instead close the loopholes used by militants to return from PoK via other countries on fake papers.