SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday ordered the withdrawal of cases of stone-pelting against 4,327 youth. The development took place after the recommendation of a high-powered committee headed by Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid which submitted its report to her today, an official spokesman said.
Mehbooba recently directed review of cases from 2015-2017 and “decision on the same would be taken on the receipt of report by the high powered committee.”
The withdrawal of cases against these youth was a major demand from various sections of the society in the state “who would be heaving a sigh of relief after this decision.”
Chief Minister described the decision “as a ray of hope for these young boys and their families terming it as an opportunity for them to rebuild their lives.”
She hoped the decision would help in creating a positive and conciliatory atmosphere in the “state where the youth would be able to build their lives in a much more constructive and positive way.”
The Chief Minister said that militancy cannot be wiped out by killing militants alone. “You have to eliminate militancy. But it cannot be done by killing militants alone. A more humane approach is needed to tackle the problem. We need to understand the reason and the real problem behind militancy,” she said.
