Dineshwar effect: Cases against first time stone-pelters to be dropped

Sahil Rasgotra. Updated: 11/22/2017 10:39:51 AM Front Page

JAMMU: While rumor-mills are working overtime over second visit of Centre’s special representative Dineshwar Sharma slated in last week of November- with some asserting Sharma to arrive as soon as Wednesday, the Union government on Tuesday- helping the ship of Kashmir dialogue sail smoothly- has asked the state government to drop over 4,500 cases against youths in Valley involved in stone pelting for the first time.
This initiative is seen to be made in a bid to win hearts in the Kashmir, as suggested by Sharma in his meeting with Central Core group on Kashmir on November 15.
The centre has also given a go-ahead to proposal of enhancing its compensation share to the Jammu and Kashmir policemen killed during terrorists encounters, by as much as ten times, from presently Rs 3 lakh to 30 lakh.
Sharma who had arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on his maiden visit after been appointed Interlocutor for Kashmir peace talks had met various strata of society, besides political group over five days, earlier this month.
While, his tour was not as successful as expected, especially in context of engaging separatists in talks, Sharma, sources said, was flooded with requests from various individuals and groups for withdrawing cases against youths who were booked by the police for indulging in stone pelting.
The same was briefed, besides other suggestions, to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh last Wednesday in New Delhi, the result of which was seen a couple of days later, when Rajnath asked state government to shift all juveniles and arrested stone-pelters from Jails to remand houses.
Further taking that up, the Centre on Tuesday has suggested the state government to provide amnesty to first time stone-pelters, sources said.
Over 11,500 cases against stone pelters were registered from July last year when unrest broke out in Kashmir following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter, they said.
Out of these, over 4,500 cases were registered against youths who were found indulging in stone pelting for the first time, the officials said.
The proposal was, reportedly discussed between officials from the state and the Centre, and will be officially announced soon by state government as a show of good faith ahead of Sharma’s second visit to the state.
When contacted by a newswire, Sharma said that the scheme was being worked on, but refrained from sharing more details.
He, however, said that he was concerned about the youth because they were the ones who matter.
"My attempt was to change the narrative in the state to peace and for that I need support of youths and students," he said.
The MHA officials said that centre is thinking of taking this initiative even further.
“After seeing the response of the step, the Centre was keen to review the remaining cases against stone pelters in consultation with the PDP-BJP state government in the state,” an official said.
The Centre may also consider rehabilitating locals who have joined militant groups but have not indulged in any heinous crime, he said.
In another major decision, likely to be announced soon, the central government has decided to enhance the compensation to the Jammu and Kashmir policemen killed during encounters, as much as ten times, thus meeting the long-pending demand of state cops, who wanted it to be at par with those of para-military soldiers.
A whopping ten-fold increase in the Centre's share in the compensation given to the next of kin of Jammu and Kashmir policemen killed while fighting terrorists is in offing as part of the efforts to stamp out militancy from the state, officials said.
The ex-gratia component from the Centre at present is a meager Rs 3 lakh and under the revised proposal, it is likely to get raised to Rs 30 lakh, the Home Ministry officials said.
The proposal likely to get the nod after necessary formalities in the Union Home Ministry, officials said.
It may be recalled here, that the ex-gratia relief for policemen martyred in militancy-related incidents was hiked three months ago, in August, from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, however, center’s share remained at Rs 3 lakh.
Even the state police has been pressing for giving allowances to its men and officers equivalent to those of the central para-military forces.
While the voices of resentment in cops have been present for long, the intensity increased many fold in the month of June, after Feroz Ahmad Dar, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Acahbal police station was killed along with five other policemen, by terrorists.
The policemen across the state had come out strong in their outrage against the administration over an order from Inspector General of Police that came out two days later, asking every employee of the J&K police may contribute at least one day’s salary for the month of June- 2017 to provide the families of martyrs with financial support, evoking a complete resistance from the police officers across the state, first of its kind.
The fraternity had asserted that while they are not against giving a day’s salary to the families of the cops, the said aid should be in addition to the funds provided by centre and state government, likewise in case of martyrs of other security agencies.
The officers had asked for the same ex-gratia relief from state and centre government as given to Army and other security force martyrs.
“Is our blood not the same? Are the bullets which kill J&K Police personnel different from the ones which kill Army or CRPF Jawans? Is J&K Police martyrs, not martyrs?” read a message that had circulated in Whatsapp group of senior officer of state police, demanding that both Centre and State government should sanction Rupees One crore for martyrs’ families, just like in case of other security force martyrs.
Pressurized by this event, the state government in the month of August had raised the ex-gratia relief for policemen martyred in militancy-related incidents substantially from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.
With Centre’s proposal being agreed to, the state police will get at-least Rs 50 lakh, in case of a martyrdom made during the militancy operations, the officials said.
Around 30 police personnel from the state police were killed in encounters with militants since July last year, the officials said.
Both these decisions were considered to be part of discussions held by Sharma during his visit to the Valley for talking with all stakeholders.
Besides these, based on Sharma’s suggestions, an additional 300 Mega Watt will be provided to Kashmir this year.
Attempts are being made to ensure round-the-clock electricity supply by the beginning of winter next year, the officials said, adding talks are being held with power ministry for implementing this project.
All these issues were discussed in detail recently at the core group on Kashmir, chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the officials said.
Top officials of the ministries of home and defence, chiefs of intelligence agencies, besides Sharma also attended the meeting.
The state government is expected to take the initiatives according to the suggestions of the central government.


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