Will scrap FIRs against youth under PSA after statehood restoration, says J&K minister Sakina Itoo

Jammu and Kashmir Minister Sakina Itoo on Monday said that FIRs registered against youth under the Public Safety Act (PSA) would be scrapped after the restoration of statehood in the Union Territory.

The minister made the statement in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly while responding to observations made by a legislator regarding youth lodged in jails and issues linked to the Indus Water Treaty.

“We have mentioned in our election manifesto that we will try to restore statehood. After that, FIRs registered against youth under the PSA will be scrapped. The FIRs registered against them will be ended. Only then will we bring these youth back from outside jails when we have statehood and when we have the Home Department under our control,” Itoo told the House.

She said several youth from Jammu and Kashmir who were earlier lodged in jails within the region had been shifted outside and were not receiving proper hearings. “When you talk about what our party has stated in the election manifesto regarding the youth who were in jails from Jammu and Kashmir and have now been shifted outside, they are not being given any hearings. We have clearly mentioned in our manifesto that we will try to restore statehood,” she said.

Responding to remarks about past governments, Itoo said that apart from the National Conference and Congress, the PDP had also been in power and contributed to governance in the region.

“Sir, I do not want to disturb the honourable member because it is his time, but he mentioned only the NC and Congress governments. I want to remind him that the PDP government also worked here while in power. You tend to forget them because of your friendly relations with them,” she said.

The minister added that the government presently does not have control over the Home Department, which she said was necessary for taking decisions related to such cases.