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After J&K, PC says ready to help Sikh youth return
On the lines of the offer made to Kashmiri militants, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said the government is ready to facilitate the return of Sikh youths who took political asylum abroad during militancy in Punjab provided they give up violence.
On the lines of the offer made to Kashmiri militants, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said the government is ready to facilitate the return of Sikh youths who took political asylum abroad during militancy in Punjab provided they give up violence.
“If Sikh youths want to return, having given up militancy, given up violence, given up the demands of Khalistan... We will certainly facilitate the return of Sikh youths,” he said.
Chidambaram’s remarks come two days after Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal slammed the Centre for leaving Sikh youths out of the ambit of its proposed move to facilitate the return of Kashmiri militants who have crossed over to PoK if they shun the path of violence.
The Home Minister said, “If the government of Punjab wishes to draw up a scheme. I will be very happy to consider that.”
He was speaking after laying the foundation stone of the country’s first integrated check post, which will provide support facilities to ensure smooth movement of people, goods and transport across the border.
“When the country is one, what is the harm in giving general amnesty to Sikh youths who want to shun violence and join the mainstream,” Badal had said.
