subject: Authorities approves rehab policy for militants in Indian Kashmir [print this page] Authorities approves rehab policy for militants in Indian Kashmir
Authorities approves rehab policy for militants in Indian Kashmir
Bureau Report
Agence India Press
November 23, 2010
Srinagar: The authorities in the Indian Kashmir have given a nod to a rehabilitation policy for militants. It is the first time that that such a policy has been introduced for militants who have allegedly trained in Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
However the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday slammed the Jammu and Kashmir government for approving what it termed an "anti-national" policy aimed at the return of Kashmiri militants from Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The BJP maintained that the government's approval of a rehabilitation policy to grant amnesty to the militants and facilitate their return.
The state government says militants must "shun arms and violence" if they want to take advantage of the scheme. They must also "accept the integrity of India" and its constitution.
Meanwhile there has been no reaction from Pakistani government to the announcement of the policy. Thousands of people have joined the Kashmir insurgency since it began 20 years ago.
Officials say the new scheme is different from previous initiatives because it is specifically targeted towards militants who have been or who are based in Pakistan.
It is geared towards those who have crossed from Indian-administered Kashmir into Pakistani-administered Kashmir to get arms training so that they can join militant groups fighting Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir.
The scheme currently in place - launched in 2004 - offers rehabilitation and monetary incentives only for "local militants".
"The new scheme is only open for those who are willing to [solemnly renounce] violence and the gun," a senior cabinet minister told was quoted by an international news agency.
Pakistan has consistently denied that it provides any assistance to militants fighting in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Indian Home Minister P Chidambram has backed the idea, but the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it was a "dangerous step and a big security risk" which they would "fight tooth and nail".
"It's an anti-national act, and we will oppose it tooth and nail." BJP's legislature party leader Chaman Lal Gupta told Agence India Press.
"How can we tolerate a policy which seeks to grant money and rehabilitation to the terrorists who went to Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir for waging a war against the Indian nation," he added. (AIP)
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