New rehab policy in J&K focuses on education, skill development

By Sumit Kumar Singh

The Centre is engaged in a constant effort to rehabilitate youth gone astray in the Valley and the new surrender policy is said to focus on more than just financial support.

For a long time now, the government has been implementing a ‘take no prisoner’ policy for terrorists who surrender. To motivate more of the lot to return to their families, the Centre is coming up with a comprehensive rehabilitation policy wherein the youth will be trained in various skills and their basic education will be ensured, too. “And, if someone wants to go for higher studies, the government will ensure that do not require financial support from their family,” said a senior CRPF officer.

Also, the Centre has completely different rehabilitation plan for educated youth who got radicalised. They will first be deradicalised and then their skills will be developed further and given the option to join the forces.

The Centre has planned this policy alongside continuing operation All Out against terrorists. This year, over 200 terrorists have been killed so far.

Earlier this month, 20-year-old Majid Khan, a budding footballer from Anantnag surrendered before the security forces weeks after joining terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Majid’s father said the family wanted him to come back and the police had assured them of his return. Apart from him, few others have also surrendered.

The CRPF also stated that if a youth gives up a life of violence, they will ensure these youth find employment. “This policy would focus on education, skill development and in certain cases monetary assistance to local terrorists who give up arms,” said the officer.

Interestingly, this would be the third surrender policy awaiting approval. Earlier, surrender policies were passed in 2004 and 2010.

Pertinently, the objective of the 2004 rehabilitation policy offered facility to those who give up terrorism and accept the integrity of India. The policy aimed at encouraging them to join the mainstream and lead a normal life and contribute towards the prosperity and progress of the state as well as the nation.

The policy offered a grant of Rs 1.50 lakh in the form of an FDR in a bank in the name of the surrenderee for a period of three years, which could be withdrawn only by him if he maintained good records for the period. A monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 for three years after the surrender was also granted.

It also offered incentives from rupees 15,000 to high 25,000 for weapons laid down by them. Also, counseling centres were set up for the surenderees and their kin, who could lodge there for thjree months or longer.

NEW PLAN

To motivate more youth who are willing to quit terrorism and return to their families, the Centre is coming up with a comprehensive rehabilitation policy wherein the youth will be trained in various skills and their basic education will be ensured, too.

Source: Daily News & Analysis

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