Review of stone-pelting cases for 2015-17 begins

3 member-committee to submit report in 10 days

JAMMU: Starting with a major confidence-building measure, as suggested by Interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, the state government on Thursday started with the process of withdrawing cases registered against the first time stone-pelters in the 2015-2017 period, a day before Sharma's second visit to Jammu and Kashmir, which is slated to start on Friday.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday directed a panel- constituted last year- to review cases against youth facing charges of stone-pelting in the 2015-2017 period, and furnish recommendations in ten days.
The three-member committee entrusted with this task was constituted on June 26, last year and comprised of Director General of Police, Additional Director General of Police (CID) and Special Secretary (Home).
The committee was originally tasked to review the cases registered against the youth for stone pelting during the period 2008-2014.
On Thursday, Mehbooba who yesterday night announced withdrawal of over 4500 cases against such youth, asked the same panel to review cases against the youth for the period 2015-2017 also.
"In a decision of immense significance, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today ordered the review of cases against the youth for the period 2015-2017 (till date) by an already constituted committee and furnishing of its recommendations within 10 days," a government spokesman said.
"The panel tasked with reviewing cases against youth for the 2008-2014 period has been asked to review the cases for 2015-2017 cases as well," read the government order, adding that the panel will furnish its recommendations to the Home department within 10 days.
This measure was taken after considering the suggestion of the Centre's special representative Dineshwar Sharma, as confirmed by the official spokesperson said.
It may be recalled, soon after assuming the office of chief minister in April, 2016, Mufti had set in motion a process to review cases against youth from 2008 to 2014 which started well.
The panel which was constituted on June 26, 2016 submitted its proposal on July 5, resulting in withdrawal of 104 cases against 634 persons allegedly involved in the stone-pelting incidents across the valley pertaining to the period between 2008 and 2009.
Soon after, however, the process was disrupted due to the continued violence and unrest in the later part of the year.
Earlier on Wednesday late night, the chief minister had announced that cases against first time stone pelters will be dropped.
She had described the decision as a ray of hope for "these young boys and their families" and hoped the decision would help in creating a positive and conciliatory atmosphere in the state.
"It gives me immense satisfaction to restart the process of withdrawing FIRs against first-time offenders involved in stone pelting. My government had initiated the process in May last year but it was stalled due to the unrest," she had posted on Twitter last night.
It is encouraging that the interlocutor has started on a positive note, she had said adding that Sharma's recommendations were being taken seriously by both the central and state governments.
Taking the suggestion of Sharma forward, over 4,500 cases against youths involved in stone pelting for the first time will be dropped in a bid to win hearts, officials had said earlier.
Sharma, who visited the Valley earlier this month, was flooded with requests from various individuals and groups for withdrawal of cases against first-timers booked by the police for stone pelting.
Over 11,500 cases were registered against stone pelters since July last year when unrest broke out in Kashmir following the gunning down of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter, officials had said.
Out of these, over 4,500 cases were registered against youths indulging in stone pelting for the first time, they said.