Pak origin wives of ex-militants demand travel documents to return home

Srinagar: A group of women from Pakistan, who came to Jammu and Kashmir with their husbands under the rehabilitation policy for militants, Monday appealed to governments of India and Pakistan for travel documents to return home.

While addressing a press conference here at Press Club Kashmir, a group of women said that they have not been provided the permanent resident certificates as promised.

They said from past several years they are demanding the travel documents but nothing is being done to mitigate their sufferings. “Either deport us or give us citizenship rights,” they said.

Pertinently, in 2001, NC vice-president had announced a rehabilitation policy for the youths of Jammu and Kashmir who had gone across the LoC for arms training but had renounced militancy and wanted to return home to lead a normal life.

“Since the time we came here with our husbands and children under the rehabilitation policy we have not been provided with the domicile document,” they said.

“We appeal to the prime ministers and foreign ministers of India and Pakistan that travel documents be issued to us on humanitarian grounds. If they do not give us the travel documents, then we should be made to exit,” the woman added.

The women said since their arrival in the state, they have not been able to visit their families in Pakistan. (KNT)