J&K expands rehab plan for former militants

The Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to expand the package it discussed with the central government in February to rehabilitate militants who cross over from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and give up arms.

The Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to expand the package it discussed with the central government in February to rehabilitate militants who cross over from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and give up arms.

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State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told HT on Monday that the package would be sent to the Union Home Ministry for clearance soon.

He said the additional features of the package include compensation to families of surrendered militants if they are killed in militant attacks.

Under the proposal, Rs 4 lakh will be paid to the next of kin of former militants who are killed in such violence. The compensation was earlier paid only to state government officials, policemen and civilians who were killed in militant attacks.

It was later extended to include families of surrendered militants who worked with the security forces.

“Militants who shun the path of violence have always maintained that they are being discriminated against even in death. So, we have decided to extend the compensation package to former militants as well,’’ Abdullah told HT.

The proposal also identifies certain points on the state’s border with PoK through which youths wishing to surrender can enter safely. These cross over points have been finalised after discussions with the unified command, a state government official said.

The state government has also decided to issue passports to former militants, Abdullah said. According to current guidelines, even family members of a person who was at any time involved in militancy are not eligible for passports.