Process on to grant amnesty to first-time stone throwers

Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 23

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has announced amnesty for the first-time stone-throwers of the Kashmir valley by initiating the process of withdrawal of FIRs against them.

The PDP-BJP government’s announcement comes after recommendations of the Centre’s special representative on Jammu and Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma. Sharma is set to start his second visit to J&K from tomorrow (November 24).

“It gives me immense satisfaction to restart the process of withdrawing FIRs against first-time offenders of stone-throwing. My government had initiated the process in May 2016, but it was unfortunately stalled due to the unrest later that year,” Mehbooba wrote on Twitter on Wednesday night.

In a series of tweets, Mehbooba described it as a major confidence-building measure of the Centre.

“This confidence-building measure reaffirms the Union Government’s commitment towards changing the narrative in J&K and creating a reconciliatory atmosphere for sustained dialogue,” she said.

In another tweet, the CM said, “It is encouraging that the interlocutor has started on a positive note. His recommendations are being taken seriously by both the Central and state governments.”

“It is a ray of hope for these young boys and their families. This initiative will provide them an opportunity to rebuild their lives,” she added.

Over 11,500 cases have been registered against stone-throwers since July 8 last year when trouble erupted in Kashmir following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter. Out of these, over 4,500 cases were registered against first-time stone-throwers.

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, however, took a dig at her saying she took instructions from the Union Government while making a decision related to her government.

“The Centre’s big amnesty push! Looks like Mehbooba Mufti’s only job is to take instructions from the Union Government. This should have been a state govt decision,” Omar wrote on Twitter.

Pertinently, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had asked the Mehbooba Mufti government to withdraw cases against first-time offenders involved in the 2016 stone-throwing incidents.