Rehabilitation Scheme

Srinagar, Feb 12: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, on Friday described Centre’s decision to give amnesty to Kashmiri militants in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) as vindication of his Government’s policy to rehabilitate those who want to return and join mainstream.
“Centre backing our proposal to let Kashmiri youth from PaK return, shows its keenness to take forward the peace process. The State Government will come up with a proper scheme to ensure the return of youth within a stipulated time,” Omar told Greater Kashmir.
Pertinently, the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram, on Thursday had said, “The idea that any Indian who had crossed over to PaK and wishes to return is certainly welcome. The idea is accepted. It must now be translated into a scheme.”
Omar said that he had been striving since 2006 to ensure that Kashmiri youth in PaK were given a safe passage. “When I first travelled to Pakistan and met the then Pakistan President General Parvaiz Musharraf, many Kashmiri youth came to me and expressed their desire to come back,” he said. “After my return I raised this issue at every forum.”
The Chief Minister said that National Conference supported the private members bill brought by the CPI (M) leader, M Y Tarigami, in the Legislative Assembly to seek the return of Kashmiri youth in PaK. “Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opposed the bill and it couldn’t be passed,” Omar said. “Had PDP supported the move, the process would have commenced long ago.”
Omar said that after he took over as the Chief Minister of the state, he raised this issue with the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, Home Minister, P Chidambaram, Defence Minister A K Antony and others. “I had to convince lot of people to ensure our proposal is accepted,” he added.
Omar said that this step would prove to be a big Confidence Building Measure (CBM).
“Many families are waiting for their kith and kin to return. Till date they had no hope, but this decision would have definitely revived their hopes.” he added.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST