The J&K government on Sunday announced to release all those youth who were arrested for their involvement in over 1,200 cases of stone-pelting in the Valley during and after summer 2010 civil unrest. “These people were misguided by certain vested elements who are not concerned about them now,” chief minister Omar Abdullah asserted while announcing amnesty at a press conference here.
He said the amnesty, however, will not apply to those involved in cases of arson. He also sought to make it clear, “This is a onetime amnesty that will apply to all cases since last year and will not be repeated.”
He said, “We’ve decided to give these youth a second chance. Cases against all those arrested on charges of stone-pelting, but not involved in arson, registered during last year’s disturbance will be withdrawn.” He added that criminal record of accused youth will be cleared and “they will get another chance to build a better future.” The chief minister reiterated, “The cut-off date for amnesty is today. We cannot do it again and again. Anyone arrested till today on stone-pelting charges can avail this amnesty.” Mr Abdullah said those youth who have cases registered against them in connection with stone-pelting but have been evading arrest can also avail of this amnesty. “Their parents should get bail for them (from the court) and then we will consider them as well,” he added.
The announcement came hours after over 300 motorcycle-borne stone-pelters attacked a police station in downtown Srinagar. Officials said 73 attackers were arrested and 10 bikes were seized during the clashes, which lasted for five hours during the intervening night of August 27 and 28. Mr Abdullah tweeted “You will have to ask them why they weren’t celebrating Lail-atul Qadr (a night during the month of Ramzan when the Qur’an was revealed) like the rest of the faithful and why they preferred pelting.”