AS expected, the UPA government has finally given its nod to an amnesty to a large number of Kashmiri youths who had crossed over to Pakistan to get armed training under ISI officials. After unsuccessful bids to infiltrate back these youths are languishing in PoK, living in pitiable conditions and no one to take their care. Being on the verge of starvation and an uncertain future they now want to surrender and return home. In this hour of grave crisis they must thank J and K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as he has turned out to be a “Messiah.” Mr. Abdullah has not only played their case efficiently with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but also got it stamped by the Home Minister, Mr. Chidambaram.
According to rough estimates, there are about 3,000 men from Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan who had crossed over in different batches since 1989 when Islamist militancy was at its peak. These youths were lured to jihad by militant outfits like Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and other groups who have training camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir
Indeed, by extending an amnesty to Islamic fanatics and well trained militants the United Progressive Alliance government is hurtling down a slippery slope taking the country along with it into a dark and dangerous abyss from which extrication would be a near impossible proposition. As a matter of fact this is not the first time that UPA is deviating from established policies. After the 26/11 Mumbai mayhem the Government has been candid that no talks would be resumed with Pakistan unless it brings all the masterminds of Mumbai carnage to justice. But it soon kneeled down and fixed dates for next talks, succumbing to US pressure.
Further, the UPA government also tripped on offering amnesty to Naxalites. The naxals instead of giving up violence are striking with impunity. Well, if the Prime Minister or the Home Minister has sincere intentions why has not been the same amnesty offered to Sikh youth stranded in Pakistan after Khalistan movement fizzled out. They too are sons of the soil and deserve equal sympathy.
The proposal forwarded by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for consent was albeit approved by Centre without weighing its pros and cons. Even without consulting its allied partners or mainline principal opposition party-the BJP. Though the decision has brought cheer to hundreds of families whose sons had left for Pakistan but at the same time it has resulted in anger and frustration to many. Particularly to those who have lost their beloved ones to terrorism during the last two decades. It has also added salt to the injuries of more than three lakhs Kashmiri Pandits who had to flee the state leaving behind goods of daily use, houses, shops, business establishments, orchards and agricultural land etc. Moreover, the agony of families who have lost their sole bread winners fighting terrorists is quite unimaginable. The meek surrender is not only an insult to their valour but to  patriotism as well.
There is no denying the fact that the proposal of amnesty to Kashmiri youth has been meticulously conceptualised by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah himself to win the hearts of  Kashmiris for vote and support. By coincidence Omar is devoting much of his time to issues like Indo-Pak relations, granting amnesty to terrorists and paving way for separatists return to negotiation table rather than establishing a rule of law in the state.
Amazingly, during his more than one year in office he has never uttered a word about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits living in camps in inhospitable conditions nor devised any immediate rehabilitation plan for their return. Even, he has taken none of the community representative in the state Cabinet despite assurances. His statements and suggestions give credence to the fact that young Abdullah is following into the foot steps of some erstwhile Kashmiri leaders, who after assuming offices extracted huge financial packages by playing the autonomy card.
A moot question arises: Are these young men-fanatic advocates of violence, who voluntarily left the country with the express determination to weaken the Indian Union at the instigation of Pakistan worthy of amnesty? No. They have crossed the borders to kill the fellow countrymen. Moreover, who will take guarantee of these youth willing to return? How can one prove that these are the same youths who had gone across and are now willing to come back on their own choice?
Additionally, where is the pressing need for such a gesture at this time, especially when the ground reality in Kashmir still remains extremely fragile with terrorism waiting to raise its ugly head at the slightest sign of laxity.
From all angles the amnesty scheme is nothing but a surrender policy of Central government and is likely to promote gun culture, demoralize the security forces and weakens the country’s sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir. It is just vote bank politics! The government needs to deal with rehabilitation move with the utmost caution. Caution should be taken in formulating a procedure to identify them as the individuals involved are not law abiding citizens of our country who by accident landed up on the wrong side of the border.
The UPA leaders need to take a cue from the prophetic words of Justinian who gave highest priority to the safety of the state over individuals’ sufferings.