SRINAGAR: The government Tuesday said 4587 youth had crossed the Line of Control for arms training and among them only 489 youth, due to change of heart, along with their families have returned through Nepal border eversince rehabilitation policy was announced in 2003.
The government on Tuesday said that, reportedly, 145 militants are active in the State, out of which 91 are locals and 54 are foreigners.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that 15 youth have returned since January, 2015 under the policy.
While replying to the written question, Mehbooba, who holds the Home department portfolio, in Lower House said that the government has sanctioned a policy and procedure for rehabilitation of misguided youth, who have crossed to Pak side of Kashmir but have given up insurgent activities due to change of heart and are willing to return to the State.
The question was asked by former chief minister Omar Abdullah, who is legislator of Beeru Assembly segment. The policy was started in the tenure of Omar when he headed the National Conference-Congress coalition from 2008-2014.
Though the chief minister said that Nepal is not the approved route for return of the youth, despite four routes have been recognized under the policy.
On the steps taken for facilitating return of the youth through Nepal route, Mehbooba said the Ministry of Home Affairs has asked for comments from the state government on the inclusion of Nepal route as an “additional entry policy”.
“The State Government has recently forwarded its comments to the Ministry of Home Affairs,” the chief minister said.
Meanwhile, in reply to another question, about the number of militants who are active in the state, the chief minister said that 145 militants are active in the state. Of them 91 are locals and 54 foreigners.
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