Azad shoots down Omar’s proposed surrender policy

JAMMU - Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Tuesday expressed fear that the proposed surrender policy for Kashmiri youth who are in Pakistan and want to return without weapons may turn out to be attempts at infiltration.

“Who will guarantee (that these youths will not engage in terrorist activities)? Should we trust Pakistan? Azad said here when reporters asked about the plan Chief Minister Omar Abdullah proposed at a conference on internal security in Delhi.

Could it not be another way of infiltrating armed youth inside?” the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister asked.

Abdullah had proposed that a surrender policy may be framed for the youth who had gone to Pakistan-administered Kashmir for militant training and were craving to return home and join the mainstream.

About resuming a composite dialogue with Pakistan, Azad said Islamabad needed to dismantle terror camps on its soil and take strong measures to curb infiltration.

“It is for Pakistan to make atmosphere conducive for talks. Some of their ministers are making different statements that shows they are not serious in talks with India,” he said.

“Dialogue process has been stalled with Pakistan since the Mumbai attack. How is it possible unless Pakistan takes action against the perpetrators of those involved in that attack?” Azad noted.