Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti orders withdrawal of stone-pelting cases against 4,327 youth

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. 

As per the official, the Chief Minister initiated a process of review of cases against youths from 2008 to 2014. 

In the first instance, 104 cases involving 634 youths were withdrawn within two months of her assuming power, he said adding that the process got disrupted due to the continued violence and unrest for later part of the last year. 

"CM Mufti ordered the withdrawal of cases of stone-pelting against 4,327 youths in 744 cases," he said.

"With this, the total number of cases withdrawn so far on the directions of the chief minister has gone to 848 and the persons benefiting out of these withdrawals stands at 4,957," the spokesman said.

The chief minister has also asked a high-powered committee to review cases from 2015 till date. The panel is yet to submit its report.

It may be recalled that last week CM Mehbooba had announced the withdrawal of cases against youths involved in stone-pelting for the first time offender. The decision has been taken considering the suggestion of the Centre's special representative Dineshwar Sharma.

Mehbooba said this confidence-building measure reaffirms the central government's commitment to creating an atmosphere for sustained dialogue. 

"This initiative will provide them with an opportunity to rebuild their lives," she said.

It gives me immense satisfaction to restart the process of withdrawing FIRs against first time offenders of stone pelting. My government had initiated the process in May, 2016 but it was unfortunately stalled due to the unrest later that year. — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 22, 2017

This confidence building measure reaffirms the Central government’s commitment towards changing the narrative in J&K & creating a reconciliatory atmosphere for sustained dialogue. — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 22, 2017

It is encouraging that the interlocutor has started on a positive note. His recommendations are being taken seriously by both the Central & State government. — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 22, 2017

Over 11,500 cases have been registered against stone pelters since July last year when unrest broke out in Kashmir following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter, they had said.

Out of these, over 4,500 cases were registered against youths who were found indulging in stone pelting for the first time, the officials had said.

(With inputs from PTI)