Unmarked graves in J-K: Will take ‘appropriate action’,says Omar

Abdullah said this commission cannot be set up by his government unilaterally. “This commisison cannot be successful unless it comes up in both parts of Kashmir. It can look into the reasons as to why people opted for militancy,it would probe the disappearances,the issue of half widows. There are people – Muslims,Sikhs and Hindus – who left Kashmir for various reasons and it would look at that as well,’’ he said. “It would be a step towards reconciliation.”

Chief Minister Abdullah said the issuance of passports to relatives of militants is now a government policy. Abdullah said his government is clear only those who are involved in militancy would be denied the clearance for a travel document and not their relatives.

Abdullah said there is a huge backlog of passports with the J-K police’s CID department. “The passports of Haj pilgrims are being cleared on priority,” he said. “We would put it (the clearance of passports for relatives of militants) on a fast track as soon as the pressure of passports for Haj purpose is cleared,” he said.

On the issue of rehabilitation those who have crossed over to Pakistan in 1990 for arms training and want to return home,CM Abdullah said around 900 applications have been already received by his government. “However,the stumbling block is the permission of governments across LoC to these persons who want to return and resume a peaceful life here,’’ he said. “The state government is working with the Centre to address this issue.’’