J&K: BJP demands scrapping of erstwhile Omar Govt's 'surrender, rehabilitation policy'

Srinagar, Mar 31: In a move that may trigger fresh round of confrontation between ruling BJP-PDP coalition and opposition National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP on Tuesday demanded immediate scrapping of the "surrender and rehabilitation policy" of militants, introduced by the erstwhile Omar Abdullah government, by terming it as a grave threat to national security.

While taking part in the discussion over the Grants of Home Department in Legislative Assembly (LA), BJP MLA from Nowshera Ravinder Raina said, "the surrender and rehabilitation policy is a grave threat to the national security and this policy must be immediately scrapped".

Jammu and Kashmir government had formulated surrender and rehabilitation policy in 2010 for bringing back the youth, who had gone to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) for arms training from the State but wants to come back.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had identified four routes for the return of 'misguided' youths - Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch district, Salamabad in Baramulla district, Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi and Wagah-Attari in Punjab.

While raising a question mark for the state government he said, "Who will be held responsible for any eventuality and who will take the guarantee for the actions of these terrorists in the future."

He said a militant who spends 20 to 25 years in Pakistan where he undergoes arms and ammunition training cannot be trusted and should not be offered any concession on his return to India.

As Raina was demanding the scrapping of the policy he was confronted by the independent MLA from Langate Engineer Rashid, who said the people who had crossed over to Pakistan had every right to return as they too were citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.

"They are citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and have every right to return, they have right to return as India claims Pakistan administrated Kashmir as its own part," Rashid said.

Both the legislatures entered into a heated exchange of words as Raina asked Engineer Rashid whether he would take guarantee of such people if they again indulge in anti-national activities on their return.

Raina also demanded the state government to make public the records of all the moveable and immovable property of the police officials in the state so as to bring more accountability and transparency in the police department.

"To bring transparency all such records must be uploaded on the official website," he said.

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He said that the senior police officer must be held accountable for the unlawful activities of his juniors and subordinates.

"If a Station House Officer commits a crime, punishment must be given to Dy SP and if a Dy SP commits a crime, action must be taken against the SSP. Seniors officials must be made accountable for the wrong doings of their juniors," he added.

Raina also demanded regularisation of Special Police Officers (SPOs) and release of adequate honorarium to the members of village defence committees (VDC) "as they are playing very significant role in eliminating the crime and terrorism from the state," he said.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from PTI)