Jammu: The government on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that 280 youth joined militancy during the past three years in the state.

This was revealed in a written reply to a query raised by NC MLA from Khanyar, Ali Muhammad Sagar.

Chief Minister (CM) Mehbooba Mufti who is also heading the Home department, in her written reply informed the House that 126 youth joined militancy in 2017, 88 in 2016 and 66 in the year 2015.

“Certain separatist leaders including two women were detained in terms of the provisions of the Public Safety Act, 1978 to prevent them from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the state or maintenance of the public order,” the CM said in her reply.

CM Mehbooba Mufti further informed the House that there was no mention in agenda of Alliance about the release of any prisoners.

“The prisoners are categorized as convicts, under trials and detenues whose custody is regulated in accordance with the extent legal provisions,” Mehbooba Mufti in her written reply informed the House, adding that no person affiliated with any recognized political party was under preventive detention as on date.

The written reply further reads that 2694 prisoners were lodged in various jails of the state. 213 male and one female prisoner have been booked under PSA and NDPS Acts, she said.

“2156 male and 88 female prisoners are under trials while as 228 male and eight female prisoners were convicted,” the government reply reads.

The CM in her reply however, said the details of state subject prisoners lodged in various jails facing charges, trials or convictions pursuant to FIRs filed against them outside the territorial limits of the state were not maintained in the Home department.

She said that the Union government has recently initiated several steps to normalize the relationship with Pakistan.

“The coalition government will seek to support and strengthen the initiatives taken by the government to create a reconciliatory environment and build stakes for all in the peace and development within sub-continent,” she said.

Mehbooba Mufti further said the state government will facilitate the dialogue process initiated earlier by Atal Bihari Vajpayee with all political groups including Hurriyat conference, in the spirit of Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat.

“Following the same principles, coalition government will facilitate and help to initiate a sustained and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders including all political groups irrespective of their ideological views and predilections,” she said.

Later, Ali Muhammad Sagar castigated the government saying that the commitments made on papers should reflect on ground as well.

“Everyone is aware of the ground situation and you claim to support and initiate dialogue process with all stakeholders. You are misguiding people with your replies,” Sagar said in the House.

Guest