J&K govt to grant amnesty to stone-pelters by Eid

Youths lodged in prisons for stone-pelting in Kashmir are likely to be granted amnesty on the occasion of Eid with the state government initiating the process of reviewing their cases before the festival.

Youths lodged in prisons for stone-pelting in Kashmir are likely to be granted amnesty on the occasion of Eid with the state government initiating the process of reviewing their cases before the festival.

Over the past decade, stone-pelting at the security forces has become a primary mode of protest in Kashmir. (HT File Photo)

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday asked the home department to review before Eid the cases of the youths lodged in various jails on charges of stone-pelting to afford them an opportunity to rebuild their careers.

A committee comprising the director general of police, the director general of prisons and the principal secretary, home, will review the cases, she said while chairing a high-level meeting here this morning regarding bringing about reforms in J&K’s prisons. Eid is expected on coming Wednesday.

The decision is in tune with Mehbooba’s policy that those not involved in heinous crimes should be released to give them a fresh chance. Earlier, last month, she told the assembly that her government was reviewing all cases of stone-pelting since 2008.

Stressing the need for review and upgradation of the Jail Manual in the state, she said the review, which is already overdue, should be aimed at making the prisons “centres of reformation” and not the places of punishment.