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Investigate disappearances, identify unknown and mass graves in Kashmir, demand kin of disappeared persons

By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,

Srinagar: The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) on Thursday wrote to the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed demanding an Independent Commission of Inquiry to prosecute those responsible for over 8000 disappearances and more than 7000 unknown, unmarked and mass graves.

“A letter was sent today to the new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The history of struggle against enforced disappearances and unknown, unmarked and mass graves has been highlighted in this letter and an Independent Commission of Inquiry has been once again demanded,” a statement from the APDP said, adding, “The letter reminds Sayeed that the responsibility of investigation and prosecution for 8000 plus disappearances and 7000 plus unknown, unmarked and mass graves lies with the Indian state and its functionaries, including the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.”


Investigate disappearances, identify unknown and mass graves in Kashmir, demand kin of disappeared persons (Photo credit: India Today)
(Photo credit: India Today)

Seven years after the APDP report ‘Facts Underground’ that detailed the presence of more than 940 unknown, unmarked graves and mass graves in Uri area of Baramulla district of North Kashmir, the Association re-iterated its commitment to document, highlight and advocate for the disappeared victims of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the statement, despite the issue of graves being recognized by the European Parliament in its resolution of July 2008, different governments in Jammu and Kashmir have sought to frustrate the families of those disappeared with contradictory statements.

As per the statement, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had stated in April 2003 that 60 persons had disappeared since inception of militancy. But, on 11 June 2003, as Chief Minister, he stated that 3,744 persons had been ‘missing’ from 1990 till end 2002. Ten days later, his government’s Minister of State for Home placed the number of disappeared at 3,931 from 1989 to June 2003.

Meanwhile, despite the October 19, 2011 SHRC findings confirming 2,156 unmarked graves in three districts of North Kashmir, and recommending action, the then Home Department, on August 13, 2012, formally responded to the SHRC’s October decision on graves in North Kashmir by dismissing most of the recommendations, repeating the statement of the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. It had maintained that the onus to identify the graves was on the families and claimed that investigation of graves would cause law and order problems. Abdullah had also stated that the government did not have the resources to carry out the recommendations on DNA tests.


Investigate disappearances, identify unknown and mass graves in Kashmir, demand kin of disappeared persons (Photo credit: Kashmir watch)
(Photo credit: Kashmir watch)

In addition, activists raising the issue, were said to be acting on the behest of forces inimical to the State/Country. In contrast, countries in the region such as Pakistan, Philippines and Nepal have appointed Commissions and promulgated new laws to deal with the issue of enforced disappearances.

APDP through its letter to the Chief Minister has demanded that an Independent Commission of Inquiry, co-chaired by two credible retired justices of the Supreme Court of India, assisted by a relevant panel of international experts, and under scrutiny of independent observers, be tasked with the mandate of investigations of enforced disappearances and unknown, unmarked and mass graves, within a set time frame. “This Commission should carry out forensic examinations, DNA profiling, identify accused persons responsible and devise a framework for reparations,” APDP demanded.

The Association re-iterated its commitment to document, highlight and advocate for the disappeared victims of Jammu and Kashmir.

(With inputs from Kashmir Life)