Around 504 separatist leaders, who had been detained in light of the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, were released after they signed a ‘good behaviour’ bond, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police chief Dilbag Singh said.
He said that out of 350 separatists who were sent to jail, only 50-60 are still behind bars even as others were released.
“A total of 504 separatist leaders belonging to Hurriyat Conference and Jamaat-e-Islami (JK) and others have been released so far after they signed good behaviour bond,” Singh said.
Over 5,500 youth were detained by the security forces on August 5, 2019, after the abrogation of Article 370, but were let off after few days of counselling. “Cases were filed against 1200 for indulging in violent acts,” Singh said.
“We will review the cases of other 50-60 people when their prison terms come to an end,” he said.
He further added that 16 youths, who joined various terrorist outfits in the valley, returned home after being persuaded by the police and family members.
Singh asserted that there was a need for enhanced surveillance along the border with Pakistan. “While technical surveillance will ensure that terrorists do not enter India through porous borders,” Singh said “efforts were needed to carry out de-radicalization of youth in J&K”.
On August 5, 2019, the government abrogated Article 370 and along with it Article 35A, revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
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