The Jammu & Kashmir Government on Tuesday informed the Upper House that a total of 432 surrendered militants have availed benefits of the State Rehabilitation policy since 2004.
The policy notified during Mufti Sayeeds’ first term in office on January 31, 2004 offered an immediate grant of Rs1.5 lakh in the form of fixed deposit and a monthly stipend of Rs2000 for a period of three years to a surrendered militant.
Under the terms and conditions of the policy, a total amount of Rs9.59 crores have been spent on surrendered militants, official sources said.
While Rs6.48 crores was spent on immediate grant of 1.5 lakh for FDR and further an amount of 3.11 crores was spent on paying stipend to these surrendered militants at Rs2,000 for a period of three years after the date of surrender.
According to official sources, between 2004 and March 2015,” a total number of 608 militants have surrendered before security forces.
A record number of 551 militants surrendered between 2004-08 when PDP-Congress alliance ruled the State while 57 militants surrendered between 2009-2014 during the term of Omar Abdullah in office.
On the other hand, 453 misguided youth (ex-militants) have returned home via Nepal route along with their wives (Pakistani national) and children after Omar Government notified a separate surrender policy in November 2010 for youth willing to return home without gun in their hands.
Responding to a question of MlC Ali Mohd Dar Minister for Horticulture, Haj & Auqaf Abdul Rehman Veeri Tuesday said that 432 cases of militants who have surrendered have been provided benefits under the notified Rehabilitation Policy by the State Government.
Meanwhile, the Upper House was also informed that along with 453 Kashmiri youth who crossed over to that side during militancy, came via Nepal along with 147 wives and 603 children since 2010.
Since the notification of Rehabilitation policy in 2010, no Kashmiri youth has returned from Pakistan/PoK through the four approved routes.
However, 453 misguided youth, along with Pakistan 147 wives and 603 children have returned via Nepal which is not a recognised route. About 4,000 youth are said to be still there on that side, the Minister informed the Upper House.
