To dissuade disillusioned youths from joining various terror outfits, the UP government, with the help of ATS (anti-terror squad), has been working on a plan to de-radicalise them. The ATS will play a vital role in their homecoming. According to the plan prepared by ATS IG Asheem Arun, such youths will be brought back to the mainstream without much hue and cry. The officials will first warn their parents, seek help from their friends, relatives and even religious gurus to mould their thoughts.
(File) Representational image | PTI
The ATS has come out with a helpline—0522-2304586—on which anyone can contact and give information about such youngsters. Arun said the parents and relatives of such youths, even if they have some inkling about dubious activities, are clueless as to the next step. The helpline has been created to help them out.
According to Arun, the helpline would provide a counselling of sorts. The efforts of the ATS do not end here. It would also help them in their studies, get them professional education and even assist them in job-hunting.
The Uttar Pradesh ATS, along with cops from other states, had recently picked up nine youths from the different parts of the state, citing their suspected activities and association with some terror outfits.
But the cops freed six of them later on.
Investigation of remaining three revealed that terror modules had whipped up their religious passion to attract them into their fold.
Arun said that the families usually found found it difficult to accept that their children were on the wrong track. In such circumstances, they are shown strong evidence
Subsequently, ATS officials regularly meet those youths and counsel them. This whole exercise is kept totally confidential and the officials keep visiting them until they are convinced that the youngsters are back on the right track.
