New Delhi:
Supporting the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister on his call to Kashmiri youth to return to the state, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has asserted that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is very much a part of India.
A day after the J&K CM Omar Abdullah ticked off Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for his opposition to giving amnesty to Kashmiri youth who want to return from PoK, Chidambaram came out in support of Abdullah's statement.
The Home Minister asserted that PoK was very much a part of India and Indian youth returning from there would be welcomed. "Whatever Omar has suggested is okay... We will consult the leaders and the Opposition, but please understand if an Indian has gone to PoK and then returned, he will be welcomed and rehabilitated. Also you must understand, PoK is India."
The statement is significant in the light of the recent diplomatic thaw between Pakistan and India, as it might elicit an adverse reaction from Pakistan.
The Home Minister's words contradict what his Cabinet colleague said on Wednesday. Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that the return of Kashmiris from PoK would create security issues. "Who will give the guarantee of the Kashmiri youth in PoK who want to return? It needs to be checked, who wants to come, whether they want to spread terrorism or they want to shun the path of terrorism. It is not that easy", Azad had said. (Read: Ghulam Nabi Azad against amnesty to militants)
A day after the J&K CM Omar Abdullah ticked off Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for his opposition to giving amnesty to Kashmiri youth who want to return from PoK, Chidambaram came out in support of Abdullah's statement.
The Home Minister asserted that PoK was very much a part of India and Indian youth returning from there would be welcomed. "Whatever Omar has suggested is okay... We will consult the leaders and the Opposition, but please understand if an Indian has gone to PoK and then returned, he will be welcomed and rehabilitated. Also you must understand, PoK is India."
The statement is significant in the light of the recent diplomatic thaw between Pakistan and India, as it might elicit an adverse reaction from Pakistan.
The Home Minister's words contradict what his Cabinet colleague said on Wednesday. Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that the return of Kashmiris from PoK would create security issues. "Who will give the guarantee of the Kashmiri youth in PoK who want to return? It needs to be checked, who wants to come, whether they want to spread terrorism or they want to shun the path of terrorism. It is not that easy", Azad had said. (Read: Ghulam Nabi Azad against amnesty to militants)
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
