Not through approved routes, ultras sneaking from Nepal Rehab Policy raises apprehensions Posted on June 6, 2013 by Dailyexcelsior Avtar Bhat JAMMU, June 5: Though Government has approved four routes for the return of militants from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) but 270 militants who have returned from Pakistan since the announcement of the policy in November 2010 have come illegally via Nepal route so far while hundreds more are waiting in PoK to return through the same route. According to high placed sources, none of the 270 persons including militants, who have returned from PoK since 2010 came via the four approved routes by the Government which has raised many apprehensions among the people regarding the security of the country and the State. The four entry routes identified by the Government for the return of militants included Poonch- Rawlakote in Jammu, Uri -Muzaffarabad in Kashmir, Wagah Attari in Punjab and Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. However not even a single surrendered militant returned via these four approved routes but adopted the illegal Nepal route for sneaking into India, sources said. The main reason by militants and their families adopting the Nepal route is that the surveillance from this side of border is less in comparison to other four approved routes which discourages the return, sources added. The return of militants with their families from Nepal route has raised many questions and people apprehended that there was no guarantee that the militants who come via Nepal route have really come for surrender and join national mainstream and not have any link with the militant outfits operating on the soil of Pakistan or PoK who can become a security threat in near future also. Questioning the policy and sneaking of these militants via Nepal into India, the people who have been grappling with terrorism in the State for last 23 years, said that the question is why these militants have adopted the Nepal route to cross? They have malicious intentions still. Otherwise had they open heart about the surrender policy and willing to enter the national mainstream they should not hesitate in undergoing thorough checking at four approved entry points? the people asked. Moreover, the question is how these militants managed to reach Nepal from Pakistan without a Pakistani Passport. If they had the Pakistani Passport how they managed it and then how they again managed their entry from Nepal to India is another question which the people are asking. Terming it a clear case of illegal immigration, the peace loving citizens of the State asked: “what is the genuinity of these persons since they have not been subjected to the process of verification as notified by the Government itself? Moreover how can be this ascertained that some of these persons are not seeking illegitimate entry into Indian territory with the ulterior motive of indulging in anti India tirade or terrorist activities again? Moreover, there are disturbing reports saying that some of these militants have gone into hiding and could re-group again posing a great threat to national unity and integrity. Since most of these persons got re-married in Pakistan and have now returned with their wives and children, the people want to know what is the status of these accompanying individuals and if the trend of each ex militant returning with his children and wife is allowed to continue, what will be its implications on the State demography? The recent arrest and subsequent bail of one of such ex militant Liyaqat Shah has generated a debate and brought into focus several pit falls of the policy. However the Government has now adopted the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and legitimization of Nepal route as well. And if this was approved will the 270 persons who have so far illegitimately gained entry via Nepal be asked to go back, apply fresh for return and go through the screening procedure as laid down in the policy? People apprehended that in case the screening procedure and screening process laid down in the Government policy is not seriously adhered to this will carry a grave security risk for the terrorism affected state. Moreover, the policy will also carry a negative message for seven lakh unemployed youth in the State who were never involved in any militancy related activity as the policy will amount to accepting that the State offers a premium on the militancy. As per the Government rehabilitation policy announced in 2010 the ex-militants who happened to be state subjects of J&K and had crossed over to PoK between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 2009 are welcome to return to India and will be settled under the rehabilitation policy provided they give up the insurgent activities, change their heart for better, are willing to return to the State. The sources said the procedure also included active Involvement and clearance by State Police, CID, Central Intelligence Agencies , Research and Analyst Wing (RAW), Army, security forces, State Government, Joint Secretary (Kashmir) Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Union Ministry of External Affairs, Bureau of Immigration, High Commission of India in Islamabad and parents of returnees. Since the announcement of the policy the militants started sneaking into Indian territory on the name of the return policy. It may be recalled that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who also holds the portfolio of Home Ministry told the State Assembly during the budget session in a written reply that 241 ex militants have illegally returned up to February this year via Nepal and other routes along with their families and 1,089 applications have so far been received under the policy
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:16:20 +0000
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