Rehab policy for youth in Pak

Srinagar: A division bench of Supreme Court Monday referred petition challenging ‘return and rehabilitation policy’ for youth in Pakistan Administered Kashmir to constitutional bench.The writ petition, filed by Jammu and Kashmir Panther’s Party, come up for hearing before Division Bench of the Apex Court comprising Justice Altmas Kabir and Justice Cyriac Joseph, a party statement said here. After hearing Prof. Bhim Singh, Advocate for the petitioner, the court referred the petition to the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, the statement to this news agency added. “The court said since the main petition against Resettlement Act, 1982 is seized in the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court which was constituted to hear the petition filed by the Panthers Party.” Terming the move as “highly dangerous” for the security of the state, JKPP has submitted it may create a serious conflict in Jammu & Kashmir. The petitioners have also argued that the act or order by the government to facilitate return of the youth as violation of the stay order issued by the apex court.More than 100 youth, who crossed over to Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PaK) years ago are expected to return home next month accepting the special rehabilitation policy mooted by the government.Recently a high level committee comprising representatives of the state government, ministry of home affairs, army and others has scrutinised the applications and verified the antecedents of the the youth who want to return and live a peaceful life under the policy. The committee has already cleared names of 28 youths. Eighty more names are expected to be cleared very soon.