Jammu and Kashmir Government to release 52 stone-pelters

SRINAGAR - The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to release 52 youths, including 31 students, who were arrested on charges of stone pelting during an unrest in the Kashmir Valley.

State Home Commissioner B R Sharma made the announcement after a meeting of Unified Headquarters (UHQ), which was chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here on Wednesday night.

“The state government will immediately release youths including students who have been arrested for stone-pelting. They will be handed over to their parents on the assurance of good conduct in future,” said Sharma, while addressing the media on Wednesday night.

It has been reported that the State Government has formed two provincial committees to review areas declared as disturbed under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

“Two committees comprising senior civil, army and police officers one each for the Valley and Jammu province, were constituted to review the areas, which have been declared as disturbed under the AFSPA,” said Sharma.

“The committees will carry out a detailed review and submit their recommendations to the Apex committee, which has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. The committees have been directed to submit their recommendations at the earliest,” he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said his efforts to soften the provisions of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and reduction of troops in the state have suffered a setback due to the ongoing unrest in the Valley. (ANI)