As many as 126 local youths of JK joined militancy in the year 2017

NewsBharati    06-Feb-2018
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Jammu, February 6: As many as 126 local youths of Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2017 joined militancy, a sharp increase from 88 the year before. This was said by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in a state Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

 

While replying to a written question by National Conference leader Ali Mohammed Sagar, CM Mehbooba Mufti said, “The number of local youth joining militancy in Kashmir Valley went up to 126 in 2017, a sharp increase from 88 the year.”

"As many as 66 youths joined militancy in 2015, 88 in 2016 and 126 in 2017," CM Mufti added. CM Mufti also noted that the increase in locals joining militancy began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen group's poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8, 2016.

According to data placed before Parliament in March last year, there has been a steady increase in the number of youths taking up arms in the Valley from 2014 onwards, as compared to 2011, 2012 and 2013. In 2010, 54 youths joined militancy. This dipped to 23 in 2011 and slipped further to 21 in 2012 and 16 in 2013. In 2014, the number went down to 53 and went up to 66 in 2015 before touching 88 in 2016, according to the data.

While replying to another question, CM Mufti said certain separatist leaders, including two women, were detained under provisions of the Public Safety Act to prevent them from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the state or maintenance of the public order.

CM Mufti further noted that at least 2,694 people, including 96 women, are lodged in different jails of the state. “The 228 convicted prisoners include eight women. Besides, there are 2,156 undertrials, including 88 women. Of the 213 detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and NDPS Acts, one is a woman,” she said.

The Chief Minister, in the end, said that the details of prisoners lodged in various jails outside the state are not maintained by the home department. No person affiliated with any recognized political party is under preventive detention as on date,” the CM added.