108 'misguided' kashmiris to return home next month

NEW DELHI: As many as 108 Kashmiris, who crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) years ago to join militancy but now wish to lead peaceful lives here, are expected to return home next month as part of Jammu and Kashmir government's special rehabilitation policy.

A high-level committee comprising representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir government, Union Home Ministry and Army, among others, has studied applications from the kin of "misguided" Kashmiri youth wanting to return to their families here.

After due scrutiny of applications and proper verification of antecedents of militants looking for surrender and rehabilitation, the committee has cleared 28 names for availing of the rehabilitation policy. "80 more names will be cleared by the end of this month. Hopefully, all these 108 militants will return home next month," an official here said.

Altogether, around 700 applications were received by the Jammu and Kashmir government on behalf of the militants, many of them married and having children. They have expressed their desire to come back here and live a peaceful life after availing of the new special surrender and rehabilitation policy.

"Rest of the applications will be cleared phase-wise after scrutiny," the official said.