Srinagar: The Police in Kashmir Valley have begun the process of identifying the “first time” stone pelters who will be given the amnesty by the government and that the task is all set to get completed by the end of next week.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Muneer Khan told a local news agency that his department is busy identifying the stone pelters who were first timers and against whom cases in various at various police stations across the Kashmir Valley stand registered.

The chief minister Mehbooba Mufti last week announced the launch of the GOI’s amnesty for first-time “offenders of stone pelting”. The announcement was made ahead of the government appointed interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma’s second visit to the state. There are reports that charges are being dropped against more than 4500 first time stone pelters in Kashmir Valley.

The Kashmir Police chief said that those against whom FIRs in various police stations were registered from 2010 to 2017 are being identified and a complete list of the first time stone pelters in being thoroughly complied.

“The process of identifying them has already begun and we likely are going to submit the final list by the end of next week,” Khan said.

He added that the list containing the names of other details of the first time stone pelters will be sent to the police headquarters by his office wherefrom further necessary action will be initiated.

The chief minister earlier had termed the amnesty to the stone throwing youth as a ‘confidence building measure’, and had stated that such an action reaffirms the Central government’s commitment towards changing the narrative in J&K and creating a re-conciliatory atmosphere for sustained dialogue.

Guest