In Liyaqat wake,a national rehab policy

Over the next 3-4 months,the government is expected to initiate consultations with state governments to settle on a framework policy.

We have different policies of rehabilitation in the country,some of which have been around for some time. We need to review these and come up with a larger policy, a top source said,responding to questions on the ongoing row.

The Centres intention,the official said,was to broaden the approach: Why just in Jammu & Kashmir? We today have even Maoists,even Nagas and other groups wanting to surrender.

The policy framework will aim to achieve better understanding among states,police forces and intelligence agencies in implementing rehabilitation policies,which are integral to the governments counter-insurgency efforts.

The case of Liyaqat Ali Shah fits in with the pattern of militants who have crossed over in the past,trying to make their way back to the Valley under an amnesty scheme offered by J&K. With Pakistan unwilling to be formally a part of the rehabilitation policy,these former militants mostly use relatives to make their bids for surrender.

A tacit green signal sets off the difficult process of hoodwinking Pakistani authorities and making their way back home. Over 350 such militants and their families have returned in the past two years,many via Nepal,making it a significant political achievement for India.