PC backs Omar: safe passage for PoK militants

Endorsing J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs proposal for a surrender-and-rehabilitation policy,Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today said the government would welcome Kashmiris who had crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and now wished to return after giving up militancy.

The idea is accepted… This idea must now be translated into a scheme, Chidambaram said,adding it was one of the recommendations of a working group appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for addressing the problems of J&K.

He said the return could be facilitated through a scheme which would entail identification,screening,travel,debriefing,rehabilitation and reintegration.

Noting that PoK is actually an Indian territory,he said the government should facilitate the return of those who had gone across the Line of Control for some reasons.

In Srinagar,the PDP welcomed Chidambarams remarks. It shows a change in the mindset of New Delhi, said PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti. We dont call it surrender policy,we call it homecoming policy.