The move comes days before the second visit of Special Representative Dineshwar Sharma to the State as his first visit from November 6-10 did not evoke much interest. The Centre’s decisions are also in consonance with the recent initiatives of the J&K police for surrender and rehabilitation of young men who have joined terror groups.

Around 700 young men were slapped with criminal cases for throwing stones and damaging public property in the Kashmir Valley in 2016, after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces. “Of the 700 youths who face criminal charges, 40 remain in jail. Of them 20 are in the 19-21 age groups,” said the official.

The official said the decision was taken after Mr. Sharma on his return gave a preliminary report to Home Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the feedback he got from meeting several delegations in Srinagar and Jammu.

The Home Ministry has also decided to increase its share in providing ex gratia relief to J&K Police personnel killed in the line of duty and it will be at par with the central armed police force (CAPF) personnel now.