Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 23: The Government today said it has sought details from Delhi Police regarding the arrest of Syed Liyaqat Shah, a resident of Kupwara district in Kashmir Valley whom they have claimed to be a Hizbul Mujahideen operative.
The Government statement within and outside the Assembly came after some MLAs raised the issue of the arrest of Liyaqat by Delhi Police saying he was returning from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to surrender.
Raising the issue as soon as the Legislative Assembly started its proceedings, Independent MLA from Langate, Kupwara Engineer Sheikh Abdul Rashid said a Kupwara youth has been arrested by Delhi Police and dubbed as fidayeen.
“This is ridiculous”, he said.
PDF MLA and former Minister Hakim Mohammad Yasin said it has been the Government policy to help the youths, who want to return from Pakistan and surrender.
“There was no weapon with the youth”, he added and said the Government should take up the matter with Delhi Police immediately.
National Conference MLA and former Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani also raised the issue of Liyaqat’s arrest and said his family was not traced. He sought a statement from the Government.
Responding to the concern of MLAs, Minister of State for Home, Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo said Liyaqat Ali Shah, a resident of Dardpora, Kupwara, has been arrested by Delhi Police.
“We have taken up the matter with Delhi Police. As soon as more details are received from Delhi Police, we will share it with members of the House,” Mr Kitchloo said.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly later, Mr Kitchloo said: “an officer of SP rank with Jammu and Kashmir Police Cell in New Delhi has been deputed to find out from Delhi Police (on what basis) they were claiming that he (Shah) had planned to carry out fidayeen attacks in the (national) capital”?
When asked whether Shah had been returning under the Rehabilitation Policy, he said, “It is being said that he was coming back under the Rehabilitation Policy. Perhaps the route fixed was different (from what) we had notified under the Policy”.
Mr Kitchloo said he had no information as to whether Shah or his family had made an application under the Rehabilitation Policy for his return from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The Minister denied reports that Shah had been travelling with his family.
It may be mentioned here that the State Government had entered into an unwritten understanding with the Union Home Ministry that any youth who had joined militant ranks in 1990s and wishing to return via Nepal would be allowed to do it provided he surrenders before Army or police in the Valley immediately after his return.
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