J&K govt may drop cases against first-time stone-pelters at Centre's request

The Centre is keen on announcing the amnesty scheme for first time stone-pelters in the Kashmir Valley.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reportedly directed the Mehbooba Mufti-led government in Jammu and Kashmir to consider withdrawing cases against first-time offenders involved in stone-pelting incidents.

ANI quoted sources as saying that the Centre is keen on announcing the amnesty scheme for stone-pelters in the Kashmir Valley.

The direction from the Centre is believed to come on the suggestion of its special representative Dineshwar Sharma. 

Dineshwar Sharma has been recently entrusted by the Centre to hold talks with all the stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir imbroglio. 

If taken positively by the J&K government, close to 4,500 cases against the youths involved in stone pelting incidents will be dropped.

Jammu and Kashmir went through a bad phase of stone-pelting, for almost four months, after the killing of Hizbul Mujahidin commander Burhan Wani in July last year.

Officers from the Army, too, seem to have a positive outlook on the Centre's proposal.

A senior officer was quoted as saying by ANI that granting amnesty to the youth would be a good step and that the modalities could be worked out as per the policies framed by the MHA. 

With ANI inputs