Ex-militants’ Pakistani wives stage protest in Srinagar

Srinagar, June 15 (IANS) Pakistani wives of former Kashmiri militants, who returned to the Valley through Nepal under a government rehabilitation scheme, staged a protest, here on Monday, demanding citizenship and alleging non-fulfilment of promises.

“We appeal the government to provide us facilities and travel documents to help settle with our families in the Valley,” one protestor said. “The future of our children is dark. They too don’t have documents,” she added.

Scores of Kashmiri youth went to Pakistan, crossing the line of control (LoC), for arms training after militancy erupted in early 90s. Some of them married and settled down there.

Many, however, returned to Kashmir via Nepal with their families after the Omar Abdullah government in 2010 announced a rehabilitation scheme for surrendered militants.

–IANS

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