A National Conference leader set the cat among the pigeons by claiming that slain terrorist and Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani was a martyr who fought for the cause of Kashmir. NC MLC Shauqat Hussain Gannia was quoted saying by ANI: “Wani is a martyr as he gave his life for the cause of J&K.” The NC MLC claimed he had made these remarks in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative assembly. The MLC’s claims echo those of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who had said: “Pakistan will continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris in their just struggle for right to self-determination. The Prime Minister termed Burhan Wani as martyr of independence movement.” Sharif said the “Indian brutalities will give impetus to the freedom struggle and Kashmiri people will get their right to self-determination for which the whole Pakistani nation is standing behind them.”
He (Burhan Wani) is a martyr as he gave his life for the cause of J&K. I said this in the J&K Assembly: Shauqat Hussain Gannai, NC pic.twitter.com/3NzrXQrn7m
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 3, 2017
Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir government said that a total of 59 youths in the Valley joined militant ranks after the killing of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 last year.
“As reported by CID headquarters, 59 youth have joined militant ranks after 8th July, 2016”, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a written reply to the question by MLA Mubarak Gul in the state Assembly.
The state government has notified a surrender policy which was superseded by rehabilitation policy to encourage the misguided youths and militants to abjure violence and “accept the integrity of India and the Constitution”, Mehbooba, who holds the home portfolio, said.
The policy was notified so that they can join the national mainstream and lead a normal life, she said.
According to the policy, the state government will provide them incentives including fixed deposits of Rs 1.50 lakh, payment of monetary incentive for surrender of weapons and stipend for a period of 3 years at the rate of Rs 2,000 per month from the date of surrender, the chief minister said.
Under the above policy of 2004, 437 cases of surrendered militants were received from 2004 till date, Mehbooba said.
As many as 216 cases have been finalised and monthly incentives of Rs 2.68 cores have been paid, she said adding 219 cases have been rejected.
With inputs from agencies
Source: dnaindia.com