Repatriation shadow on wives of former militants in J&K.
Source: Page 5, The Hindu International Edition, April 30th 2025
| Topic: GS Paper 2 – Governance, International Relations, GS Paper 3 – Internal Security, Border Management, Rehabilitation. |
| Context |
|
Background:
- In 2010, the J&K Rehabilitation Policy under Omar Abdullah’s government allowed former militants who had crossed into PoK to return via specific routes with their families.
- Many returned via Nepal, though this was not an official route, and included around 350 women and children from PoK who married former militants and settled in the Valley.
Current Issue:
- After the Pahalgam attack, the Union Government began repatriation of Pakistani nationals, including some PoK wives of former militants.
- Around 60 people are reportedly being prepared for return; 150+ women face uncertainty.
- Many such women have Indian husbands and children, but are themselves stateless due to visa and nationality issues.
Legal and Humanitarian Concerns:
- High Court precedent (1971): Movement from PoK to J&K not treated as illegal crossing, given PoK is part of India constitutionally.
- Humanitarian risk: Deporting mothers and wives who have built families in India risks emotional, legal, and social crisis.
- Denied visas to attend funerals or visit family back in PoK points to legal limbo and lack of documentation.
Criticism and Political Response:
- Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) and civil society demand compassionate review, citing humanitarian values.
- Highlights failure in long-term integration and documentation strategy for returnees under the rehabilitation scheme.
Why it is important?
- Touches on themes of border management, rehabilitation of militants, citizenship issues, and human rights in conflict zones.
- Offers case study on policy implementation gaps and security-humanitarian trade-offs.
Way Forward:
- Government must differentiate between security risks and genuine settlers.
- Create a legal pathway to citizenship for PoK-origin women married to Indian nationals.
- Strengthen documentation and tracking systems post-rehabilitation.
- Foster inter-agency coordination between security, home ministry, and judiciary.
| Practice Question Q. Examine the challenges and policy implications of repatriating foreign-origin spouses of former militants under India’s rehabilitation policy. Should humanitarian concerns override national security considerations? (250 words) |
