Rajnath Singh instructs security forces to send first time stone pelters to rehab, not jail

Srinagar/Jammu: On Monday, Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister said that security forces have been instructed that the first time young stone-pelters should be sent to rehabilitation centers instead of putting them in police lockups.

It may be mentioned that youths under 18 years involved in stone-pelting must be sent to rehabilitation centers rather than keeping them in lockups. However, this rule is not being followed.

Mr. Singh advised the Govt. of J&K to review previous cases.

According to the news published in TOI, he also said that Kashmir crisis could be resolved through five ‘C’s, Compassion, Communication, Coexistence, Confidence-building and Consistency.

He further said that if need be, he would visit Kashmir not five but 50 times a year for the restoration of peace and prosperity in the valley.

Mr. Singh who is on his four-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir felt deeply hurt by seeing the weeping face of Zohra, daughter of Inspector Abdul Rashid who was killed by the militants.

Talking about the apprehension of abrogation of Article 35A, he said that Govt. will not take any action against the sentiments of the people of the valley. People with a vested interest are creating hype, he added.

During his visit, Mr. Singh met 55 delegations which included businessmen, hoteliers, NGOs, teachers, students and political leaders.

In order to boost tourism in the valley, he appealed people across the country to visit Kashmir without fear. He also claimed that the security situation in Kashmir has improved a lot.

After visiting Srinagar, Mr. Singh went to Jammu where he condemned a series of ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Immediately before his arrival in Rajouri’s Nowshera sector of Jammu region, Pakistani soldiers violated the ceasefire twice.