Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has announced grant of “amnesty” to youth involved in various cases during the 2016 uprising in Kashmir. She appealed to “all shades of opinion” across India to come forward and help in the getting the state “out of present uncertainties and bloodshed.”
During the discussion on motion of thanks on the governor’s address in the legislative assembly, on Wednesday, the chief minister announced that she directed withdrawal of cases against 4,327 youth recently and constituted a committee to review the cases registered against youth during the 2016 unrest.
Amidst huge round of applause, Mehbooba announced “I am happy that we have decided to grant amnesty to around 9000.” She further said that she has asked the police to help the militants return to their families and friends. “It’s my endeavour to bring them back and ensure that they are not harassed. Many have come back, but I regret the glorification of violence by some people on the social media,” she added.
Mehbooba termed that the dialogue was the “only way ahead”. She said that appointment of Dineshwar Sharma, having the rank of a cabinet secretary, as the government of India “interlocutor” on J&K dialogue last year, was a “major decision to undertake sustained dialogue in the state.”
Chief Minister hoped that people from “different shades of opinion would join the consultation process initiated by Sharma and it moves ahead with positivity.”