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Tariq Bhat
Tariq Bhat

VIOLENCE IN J&K

Will pardoning first-time stone pelters ease tensions in Kashmir?

stone-pelting-crpf (File photo) Representational image

The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to withdraw FIRs filed against first-time stone pelters in the state.

The decision was announced by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Twitter. “It gives me immense satisfaction to restart the process of withdrawing FIRs against first-time offenders of stone pelting,” she tweeted.

The demand for amnesty to protesters, booked for various offenses during 2016 uprising, was made by several delegations who met Centre's special representative Dineshwar Sharma.

The Centre's nod for withdrawal of charges against first-time offenders has come after Sharma brought the issue to the notice of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Lauding Sharma, the chief minister said it is encouraging to see that his recommendations are being taken seriously by the Centre.

According to sources, Mehbooba-led PDP-BJP government has decided to withdraw cases against first-time offenders in view of the improved situation in Kashmir where more than 190 militants, including several top commanders, have been killed by security forces this year.

It remains to be seen how far the withdrawal of cases helps improve the situation on the ground in Kashmir as the 2016 uprising happened despite Omar Abdullah announcing similar steps when he was the chief minister of NC-Congress coalition in 2014.

Sources close chief minister, who is also the state's home minister, said the move is aimed at countering the negative perception about the PDP government due to the killing and blinding of civilians in 2016 especially in PDP's stronghold of south Kashmir.

The Centre had announced four major confidence-building measures (CBMs) for Jammu and Kashmir based on the preliminary recommendations of Sharma which included manifold increase in compensation for loss of lives and property in Pakistan shelling and firing in border areas, improved compensation for policemen killed in anti-militancy operations and 800 additional MW electricity to the state during winter.

The amnesty to first-ime stone pelters will cover 4,500 youth. Over 11,500 cases have been registered against stone pelters since July last year.

The government is also working on a proposal to provide jobs for people who have lost eyesight due to pellets. The state government has already contacted many victims and asked them to provide details for availing jobs. A monetary package is also being worked out for the others who have suffered less damage to their eyes.

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