Hundreds of stone-pelting cases against youths in the Jammu and Kashmir region have been withdrawn.
The chief minister of the area, Mehbooba Mufti, made the order on Wednesday 29 November, removing 744 cases against 4,327 youths from 2008 to 2014.
The move came following a review, which was disrupted following outbreaks of violence in the later part of the past year.
The chief minister described the decision as “a ray of hope” for those involved.