Mehbooba orders withdrawal of 744 cases against 4327 youths

Jammu: In a major decision, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has approved the withdrawal of cases against 4327 youth involved in 744 cases of ‘law and order’ nature.

This follows the recommendation of a high powered committee headed by Director General of Police which submitted its report to her today.

The DGP has been asked to regularly monitor the progress in the matter and furnish back a fortnightly report in this regard, reads a communication from the Home Department to the DGP sent late this evening.

“Today’s decision marks the revival of process of withdrawal of cases started by Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti last year immediately after taking over,’ an official spokesman said.

She had set on a process of review of cases against youth from 2008 to 2014 and in the first instance 104 cases involving 634 youth were withdrawn within two months of her assuming power. The process, unfortunately, got disrupted due to the continued violence and unrest for later part of the last year.

With this, the total number of cases withdrawn so far on the directions of the Chief Minister has gone to 848 and the persons benefitting out of these withdrawals stand at 4957.

The Chief Minister, it may be recalled, had committed withdrawal of cases against youth found not involved in heinous crimes and the revival of this process has fulfilled the promise made by Mehbooba Mufti.

Mehbooba Mufti recently has also directed review of cases from 2015-2017(till date) and decision on the same would be taken on the receipt of report by the high powered committee.

The withdrawal of cases against these youth was a major demand from various sections of the society in the State who would be heaving a sigh of relief after this decision.

The Chief Minister described today’s decision as a ray of hope for these young boys and their families terming it as an opportunity for them to rebuild their lives. She hoped the decision would help in creating a positive and conciliatory atmosphere in the State where the youth would be able to build their lives in a much more constructive and positive way.