J&K amnesty for stone pelters

Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday announced an amnesty scheme for youths involved in over 1,200 cases of stone-pelting in the Valley during last summer’s unrest. “We have decided to give the youths a second chance. Cases against all the youths arrested on charges of stonepelting, but not involved in arson, registered during last year’s disturbance will be withdrawn,” the CM told reporters in Srinagar. Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had earlier set a deadline of Eid-ul-Fitr for the release of all those involved in last summer’s unrest. The state government’s amnesty comes days ahead of his call. Abdullah said the criminal record of the youths will be cleared and they will get another chance to build a better future. “(However,) the cut off date for amnesty is today. We cannot do it again. Anyone arrested till today on stone-pelting charges can avail this amnesty,” Omar said. The government had, earlier in the week, released 12 political prisoners, including two close aides of Geelani. Omar said the young boys were used by the separatists for stone-pelting and when they were detained, none of the leaders asked for their release. Omar described the withdrawal of cases against the stone pelters as Eidi (Eid gift). For the fourth consecutive Friday this month, stone-pelting incidents were witnessed in the Nowhatta area, in which 73 stone pelters were arrested.