Former ultras may be deployed as spotters
SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI, Apr 22:
In an attempt to plug the Nepal route used by Kashmiri militants to re-enter the Valley using the new surrender policy as a cover, the Centre has decided to depute Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel along with the Sashastra Seema Bal, a para-military force guarding the Indo-Nepal border.
At a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary R K Singh in the national Capital, the decision to depute the police personnel from the State was taken. These men will assist the SSB in identifying the Kashmiri youth who have been using Nepal as an alternate route to enter into the Valley, official sources said today.
The J and K Police may also deploy “spotters”, former militants, who will help in nabbing such youths who enter into India through the Nepal border, which became an entry route after the State Government announced Rehabilitation Policy in 2010.
Former militants who crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) between 1989 and 2009 will be considered for safe return through the special policy.
The personnel, besides being deployed at 15 points from where the people from India and Nepal enter, will also be part of patrolling parties to man areas used for illegal infiltration, the sources said.
Under the policy, the parents of the youth will have to apply to the district police chiefs of their respective districts certifying that ‘their wards want to return and live a normal life’. The district police chiefs will scrutinize the applications and then issue orders after clearance from various agencies concerned.
Government has identified four entry points – Poonch-Rawalakote (Poonch), Uri-Muzaffarabad (Uri), Wagah (Punjab) and Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi from where the youth, given clearance, can enter the State.
However, some cases were detected during the past few months in which former militants holed in PoK were entering into the Valley through Nepal route and then claiming that they had returned as per the policy of 2010. Some of the youths were later found to be re-cycled into militancy as well.
The issue was flagged at a meeting on Internal Security chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah which led the Centre to direct the Home Secretary to take urgent steps in this matter.
While favouring a mechanism to ensure safe return of former militants to the State to facilitate their transition for leading peaceful lives, rejoining the national mainstream and contributing towards peace, Omar had said that there are reports that some youth are using Nepal route for returning to Jammu and Kashmir.
“There is a growing concern about the possibility of the recycling of the surrendered and released militants as well as these prospective returnees from PoK. This needs attention of the Government,” Omar had said. (PTI)
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