GOVERNMENT COLLECTING INFORMATION ABOUT MISSING PERSONS IN J&K

Srinagar, Mar 9 (Only Kashmir): State Government today said that it was collecting information about the missing persons in Jammu and Kashmir and the same would be furnished during the current budget session.

The MLA Kulgam, M Y Tarigami had asked the government to provide particulars of the persons officially declared as missing till date and the number of cases in which FIRs have been registered. He had also sought report about action taken to trace out the disappeared persons with details of cases in which compensation has been paid.

Minister Incharge Home replied that the information is being collected and the same will be furnished during the current session.

To a question whether the government contemplates to constitute a Commission of Enquiry to probe the alleged cases of forced disappearance, the Home Minister said, “The idea of having a Truth and Reconciliation commission in the state was shared on the floor of the house during the last Budget Session of the state legislature by the Chief Minister. However, the constitution of such a commission would require wider consultations and a board consensus among all stakeholders including the Government of India. The government shall look into all the aspects relating to the establishment of such a Commission in consultation with all stake holders including the Government of India.”

Replying Tarigami’s other question regarding whether any survey has been conducted to ascertain the number of widows/orphans as a consequence of such disappearance and the steps taken to rehabilitate them, the Home Minister said, “No such survey has been conducted to ascertain the number of widows as a consequence of aforesaid disappearances. However, in 2007-08, the Rehabilitation Council of Social Welfare Department conducted a survey of widows, orphans and handicapped persons rendered so due to militancy related incidents. As per the survey, the number of widows, orphans and handicapped is 36,600 which includes 6345 widows of civilians, 2266 widows of militants, 20707 orphans of civilians, 5379 orphans of militants and 1903 disabled/handicapped persons. Financial assistance is being provided to them in the shape of pension, scholarship and marriage assistance.(OK)