Centre plans amnesty for Kashmiri youth returning from PoK - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Union Government has planned to facilitate return of all Kashmiri youths who had gone to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and now wish to return by denouncing militancy. Interacting with the media after the Union Cabinet meeting, Chidambaram said: "The idea of granting amnesty to Kashmiri youth in PoK has been accepted. The idea must be translated into action now. Those Indians who had crossed over to PoK and now wish to return to India are certainly welcome," he added. The Centre's step could be viewed as a response to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's proposal to formulate new surrender and rehabilitation policy. On Sunday, during the Chief Ministers' conference on internal security Abdullah had proposed the new policy. "To encourage more militants to return to the state and manage their transition to civilian life, a new surrender and rehabilitation policy of militants is under active consideration of my government," Abdullah had stated. Reiterating that the PoK is an Indian territory, Chidambaram said: "PoK is actually an Indian territory and we should facilitate their return." He however, said that the Centre would hold discussions with various political parties on the issue. "Process of wider consultation would be carried and we will consult Leader of the Opposition and two main political parties in Kashmir," he said.