1,253 people returned to Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan, says Sayeed

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government today said a total of 1,253 people, including 197 women and 603 children, have returned from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under the return and rehabilitation policy of cross border youth.

As many as 453 people along with 197 women and 603 children have returned via Nepal under the policy for return of misguided youth who had crossed to PoK and Pak (for arms training), Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said in a written reply to the question of NC member Bashir Ahmed Veeri in Legislative Council here today.

Chief Minister said return via Nepal was not a recognised route under the policy.

Since the issue of notification of the policy in 2010, no youth has returned to Jammu and Kashmir through the four approved routes under the policy.

Acting on the recommendations of working groups (Group-I) the state government in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, had in November 2010 notified the policy and procedure for the return of misguided youth who had crossed to PoK and Pak for arms training.

He further said reportedly there were around 4,000 such people in PoK and Pakistan.