SRINAGAR, Aug 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today announced an amnesty package for the youth arrested during last years summer agitation in Kashmir valley.
While addressing a press conference this afternoon, Omar said that the amnesty is for all those booked on charges of stone pelting, except for those involved in cases of arson during the agitation.
Terming this as an Eid gift, he said youth should grab this opportunity. "This would be first and last chance for them as we are not going to tolerate their actions in future", he added.
The amnesty has been extended to the youth who have gone into hiding after being released on bail provided they come forward and present themselves before the law enforcing agencies. He asked parents of these youth to come forward and play their role.
The Chief Minister said that these youth were misguided by certain vested interests who are not concerned about them now.
He said the decision to withdraw cases against the youth was taken to ensure their better future. "The cases of youth involved in arson would be reviewed if the situation remained normal and no unfortunate incidents are reported," he asserted.
Mr Abdullah said that the future of these youth is at stake and their career has been marred. "They cannot get jobs and passports since No Objection Certificate (NOC) would not be released in their favour. As such we have decided to give them a chance and their record would be set straight."
While giving details about the youth arrested during last years agitation, the Chief Minister said that during past 16 months cases were registered against 1300 persons adding 35 stone pelters are serving detention under PSA. "As of now 70 youth are in judicial remand. The number of youth booked in cases of arson is in double digits and it is definitely below 100."
Omar said, the issue of arrests has been blown out of proportions by certain quarters. "Some people say thousands of youth are languishing in jails and thousands have been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA). This is a blatant lie and I vehemently deny these accusations," he added.
While taking a dig at the separatists that last year's agitation was peaceful, he said arsonists damaged buildings, vehicles and other public utilities. Seventy six Government buildings were gutted completely while as damages were caused to 38 others.
"Sixteen private buildings were gutted completely while as 18 others suffered damages. Thirty seven Government vehicles were burnt while as 75 others suffered damages. In the same way 75 private vehicles were burnt and 85 others suffered damages," Mr Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister said some people tried to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere this year also by playing with the emotions of people. He complimented the masses for maintaining law and order in the State adding that they ensured peace despite some unfortunate incidents.
Meanwhile, while announcing the devolution of powers to Panchayats, Omar said the Panchayats would become fully functional from September 1.
He said that Panches and Sarpanches would be empowered to take decisions on various developmental issues and administrative matters. "Untied grants to the tune of Rs 1 lakh would be allocated to each Panchayat halqa for taking up emergent works."
The Chief Minister said some politicians wanted to create confusion among the ranks of Panches and Sarpanches saying that Government is not committed to the transfer of powers.
"This is the first installment of powers to the Panchayats and more powers would follow with the passage of time. We had promised to empower Panchayats before Eid and today we have done our bit. Now the onus lies on Panches and Sarpanches and they should discharge their duties with honesty and sincerity," said Omar Abdullah.
He said the Panchayats would prepare plans for the development of the halqa, undertake measures for the implementation of the development plan and deal with problems of soil conservation, water management, social forestry, rural industrialization, agriculture, sheep and animal husbandry, sanitation, health and other welfare programmes.
"It would be the responsibility of Panchayats to maintain, operate and supervise primary schools, medical sub-centres, Panchayat Bhawan, roads, lanes, drains, culverts, sheep extension centres, veterinary extension centres, Zamindar khuls, anganwari centres, training centres of Social Welfare and Handicrafts Department, street lights, slaughter houses, agriculture/horticulture extension services, village wood lots, strip plantation, seed distribution cases and field nurseries of Horticulture Department."
The Chief Minister said that Panchayats would prepare and implement special development plans for alleviating poverty and employment generation. "The programmes under Integrated Rural Development Programme, National Rural Employment Programme, Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme and Housing of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes would be monitored by Panches and Sarpanches."
"Programmes under Indira Awas Yojna, Integrated Social Security Scheme, Integrated Child Development Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension scheme, National Family Benefit scheme, Indira Gandhi National Disabled Persons scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension scheme, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Swaran Jayanti Grameen Savrozgar Yojna and Total Sanitation Campaign have to be planned and implemented by Panches and Sarpanches," he added.
Omar said identification of BPL beneficiaries for subsidized ration along with mid-day programme is also the responsibility of Panchayats."The regulation of buildings, shops and entertainment houses and checking of offensive or dangerous trades also comes under the purview of Panchayats. The construction and maintenance of slaughter houses, regulation of sale and preservation of meat and processing of skins and hides is also the job of Panches and Sarpanches," he added.
"The Panchayats are entrusted with the responsibility of regulation of sale and preservation of fish, vegetables and other articles of food. They are also expected to regulate fairs and festivals. Besides, Panches and Sarpanches would be involved in universalization of elementary education and other educational programmes," Omar said.
Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that Panches and Sarpanches should be given some time before they adapt to the situation adding that these people are competent enough to deliver goods. "Since Panchayati Raj was not in vogue in State for more than three decades it would take some time for things to settle down."
Lauding social activist and Gandhian, Anna Hazare for his courage to speak and act against corruption, Mr Abdullah said that it was due to the resilience of Anna that steps have been taken for introduction of a strong Lokpal bill. He described the ending of fast by Anna Hazare as victory for people's power and showed the resilience of Parliamentary democracy.
"The resilience of Parliamentary system of democracy was on display as both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha gave their nod for the introduction of strong Lokpal bill. It took us 42 years to get this bill introduced and credit goes to Anna for showing the way to the nation," he said.
Responding to a question about rehabilitation policy of militants who are willing to return from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Omar said the Governments of Pakistan and PoK are acting as stumbling blocks for this policy.
"As of now we have received 900 applications from persons who wish to come back. But their return has been hampered by the establishment in Pakistan and PoK since the return of these people goes against their interests. Modalities for the return of these people are being worked out in close consultation with Government of India. The picture would become clear once this whole process is completed," he said.
On Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the Chief Minister said that it applied to various off-shoots of militancy and not alone on alleged human rights violations by security forces. "The Commission can become a reality only when the Governments of India and Pakistan agree on it."
"The TRC has to be applied on both sides of LoC and it cannot be one sided. Issues like disappearances, half-widows, people leaving the Valley and why did militancy start have to be covered under TRC. This would give a better understanding of the situation and it would lend meaning to TRC," he asserted.
The Chief Minister said that Government has framed a policy under which it would be ensured that relatives of militants are not put to any trouble. "The passports would be issued to these people. The CID wing of the police has been directed to take up the pending cases on fast track basis."
He said that his Government is waiting for the final report of State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on the unmarked graves issue before any decision is taken. He said it would be premature to comment on the issue as of now.
The Chief Minister said the design of Kishenganga Power project has been modified and it would not affect the existence of tribes living in that area. "Hurriyat Conference is worried about the interests of Pakistan and that is the reason for them to raise cry over this project," he added.
(www.dailyexcelsior.com, 29 Aug. 2011)
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