The Mufti-led Jammu and Kashmir government has extended its healing touch for surrendered militants also. It is formulating a policy to rehabilitate the former militants into the national mainstream.The government has decided to extend financial support and generate jobs for them. As per policy, the government will pay Rs 2.50 lakh to each surrendered militant. Initially, a sum of Rs 1 lakh would be deposited in a bank for three years which can be withdrawn by the beneficiary only if his behaviour is satisfactory.Sources said a screening committee would monitor the surrendered militants’ conduct. ‘‘If he shows no deviance during the period, another installment of Rs 1.5 lakh would be paid,’’ a top government official said.Mooted by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and called the ‘Welcome Home Policy’, the move is seen to resist the trend of re-arming them by security forces for counter-insurgency operations.According to estimates, there are 2,500 surrendered militants. Of them, a sizeable number work for security forces in combating militancy.The Jammu and Kashmir Ikhwan, which is based in the districts of Anantnag and Pulwama, is active in these operations. Its chief commander Sheikh Tahir said they had also heard of the policy but no one has approached them so far. ‘‘If implemented it would be a welcome gift for our cadre. Like everyone, we too yearn for a peaceful existence,’’ said Tahir, who claimed to head a group of 350 militants.Government sources said the move to rehabilitate the former militants was put forth by Mufti himself and later taken well by counter-militancy fighting agencies too. Sources said the policy gives room to those who want to lead a normal and peaceful life. ‘‘It is true that they would be given a chance to live a new life after becoming Ikhwanis (counter-insurgents) and militants,’’ the source said.J-K Financial Commissioner, Home department, S.D. Singh said there was already a policy of rehabilitation for surrendered militants. ‘‘It is basically a revised policy and would be implemented shortly.
