The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday approved the closing of as many as 104 cases against 634 local youths, who were booked for stone pelting between 2008 and 2014. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had asked the state Home Department and police to fast-track the withdrawal of these pending cases in a phased manner, reported IANS. The step is being considered a goodwill measure ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Mufti had formed a three-member committee to review the cases. “In its recommendations, the committee has proposed that the cases between 2008 and 2014 be segregated and recommended for withdrawal in a phased manner,” said the government's spokesperson. The accused and their parents will have to submit an undertaking saying they will not engage in any such activities in the future. However, persons accused of committing “heinous crimes” will be excluded.

According to NDTV, the panel – consisting of the director general of police, additional director general of police (CID) and special secretary (Home) – will review cases between 2010 and 2014 in the next three weeks.