The Pakistani wives of former Kashmiri militants who returned from Pakistan under a rehabilitation scheme Tuesday staged protest demonstrations at Press Enclave here, demanding travel documents for their return to their native country.
They also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hisPakistani counterpart Imran Khan to take concrete steps to “facilitate theirreturn.”
Nadiya Yusuf, a protestor, said that she married a Kashmiriman in PaK and came to Kashmir.
“In Kashmir, we are facing case for crossing illegallythrough Nepal border while the fact remains that we came here on invitation andunder the rehabilitation policy announced by the government,” she said.
At least 450 families returned under the rehabilitationpolicy announced by the then government in 2010 that promised a monthly stipendor honorarium, besides skill development training to the youth who returnedafter deciding to shun gun and live a normal life.
Many youth who had crossed over to other side of LoC marriedthere but returned along with their wives and children in the wake ofrehabilitation or surrender policy of 2010.
“We are today questioned as to why we came to India throughNepal border. We had applied for visa to enter India through Wagah border. Butthat was not granted. We didn’t come here with gun. We came here afterinvitation by the government,” said Nadiya Yusuf.
“We are suffering from depression. In case, governmentdidn’t issue travel documents to us in next one month, we will cross the borderin whatever manner we deem it fit,” they said.
The protestors made a fervent appeal to the Prime MinisterNarendra Modi and the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to issue them the”travel permit” so that they can return to PaK.