Srinagar, Mar 23, KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday confirmed that Syed Liyaqat Shah, a Kashmiri youth recently arrested by Delhi Police, had indeed returned to India from Pakistan through a process initiated under the state’s rehabilitation policy.
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo, addressing the matter, stated that while Liyaqat Shah had applied under the formal amnesty scheme aimed at rehabilitating former militants returning from across the border, the route he may have used to re-enter India might not have been permissible under the terms of the policy — a factor that possibly triggered his detention by Delhi Police.
Responding to public and political concerns surrounding the arrest, Kitchloo clarified that contrary to the claim made by MLA Engineer Rashid, Liyaqat was not accompanied by his family at the time of his arrest. “He was alone during his return. His family remained at his native village in Kupwara,” Kitchloo said.
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The MoS Home further informed that the Jammu and Kashmir government has already taken up the matter with Delhi Police and that communication is ongoing with relevant authorities to ascertain the full context of Liyaqat’s detention. “We are in touch with the Delhi Police Special Cell, and our Superintendent of Police in Kupwara, Mohammad Irshad, is also actively working to clarify the circumstances,” he added.
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Liyaqat Shah’s arrest has sparked debate over the implementation of the rehabilitation policy announced by the government for ex-militants seeking to reintegrate into mainstream society. The incident has also raised concerns about coordination between state and central security agencies in dealing with such returnees.
Authorities in the Valley have called for transparency and due process in handling such cases, urging both state and central governments to ensure that individuals following proper procedures under official policies are not unduly penalized. [KNT]
