As the J&K government on Thursday started withdrawing cases against the first time stone pelters, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said…
Mehbooba Mufti (Photo: Facebook)
As the J&K government on Thursday started withdrawing cases against the first time stone pelters, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said “It is a ray of hope for these young boys and their families”.
“It gives me immense satisfaction to restart the process of withdrawing FIRs against the first time offenders of stone pelting”, she said.
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Announcing amnesty to first-time stone pelters, Mehbooba had on Wednesday announced withdrawal of cases against youths involved in stone-pelting during the long-stretched violent agitation in Kashmir following killing of HizbulMujahideen leader BurhanWani in an encounter with security forces in July last year. Several Army and security forces personnel were injured as the professional stone pelters also joined the first timers in hurling stones and brickbats at them throughout the valley.
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The Home Ministry had earlier this week announced amnesty to stone pelters as yet another initiative to win over the hearts of Kashmiris.
Mehbooba tweeted; “My government had initiated the process in May 2016 but it was unfortunately stalled due to the unrest later that year”.
This confidence building measure reaffirms the Central government’s commitment towards changing the narrative in J&K and creating a reconciliatory atmosphere for sustained dialogue, she said.
Commending the interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, she said “It is encouraging that the interlocutor has started on a positive note. His recommendations are being taken seriously by both the Central & State government.
It is a ray of hope for these young boys and their families. This initiative will provide them an opportunity to rebuild their lives”.
Reacting on the issue, the former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted; “Looks like Mehbooba Mufti’s only job is to take instructions from the Central Govt. This should have been a State Govt decision”.
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