Kashmir

The VOICE of the VOICELESS

Violence in kashmir…(2002 to 2009)

The data about killings, disappearances, suicides, fratricides, etc. in Jammu & Kashmir

collected by JKCCS from 2002 to 2009 is based on the daily reportage in newspapers

published from Jammu and Kashmir. All these newspapers are primarily fed by the

reports of daily killing by the Jammu and Kashmir Police department.

The data presents a deeply disturbing pattern of impunity in Jammu & Kashmir and

contains only reported killings. There might be killings which are not shared with

journalists in official records and may have remained unreported.

Inferences can be drawn from the data collected on selective forms of violence that have

resulted in killings, disappearances, suicides and fratricide etc. But it excludes other

equally painful types of brutality like torture, injuries, arrests, rapes, human shields,

molestations and forced labour etc. along with the humiliations and their lasting traumatic

consequences as the data available for such crimes is difficult to obtain

Lives lost from 2002 to 2009

The conflict from 2002 to 2009 has resulted in the loss of life of 3404 civilians, 7504

militants (claimed by government), 2451 troopers and 674 others.

A huge majority of those killed are Kashmiris which burdens the lives of survivors in the

society. The state of affairs continues. Notwithstanding many PR exercises, there seems

to be no genuine effort in place from the states to stop further bloodshed and other forms

of suffering.

The insecurity at present, coupled with past anxieties, continues to darken the future of

the majority of people here. The reason for this insecurity and the subsequent loss of lives

merits immediate redress to arrive at peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Custodial Killings and Enforced Disappearance

According to media reports there were 225 custodial killings and 360 persons were

subjected to enforced disappearances from 2002 to 2009.

Suicides and Fratricides

From 2004 to 2009, 157 troopers committed suicide while as 55 personnel were killed in

fratricidal incidents. The data suggests high level of stress on the soldiers in the current

conditions. The magnitude of stress on the civilian population as a result of existing

besieged and insecure conditions can only be guessed.

Probes

According to the available data, from 2002 to 2009 the government ordered 140 probes

on different human rights abuses, out of which only 16 enquiries have been concluded. In

just one case an army personnel who was accused of rape has been punished for

misbehavior and sent to 1 year rigorous imprisonment.

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Killings by Unidentified Gunmen

From the available data for the year 2008 and 2009, mysterious killings by unidentified

gunmen have resulted in the killings of 47 persons in 2008 and 26 people in 2009.

Children Killed

Since January 2002 to December 2009, the conflict has consumed the lives of 258

children (under the age of 18). In the first two months of 2010, 3 boys, Inayat Khan of

Dalgate, Wamiq Farooq of Rainawari and Zahid Farooq of Brein Nishat have become

prey to the indiscriminate use of violence.

Last 2 years

The year 2008 witnessed mass uprising in response to a perception of Amarnath land

grab and the subsequent economic blockade of an entire landlocked region. The year

2009 witnessed mass protests in response to rape and murder of Aasiya Jan and Neelofar

Jan of Shopian.

The means of protests that were civil in both the cases evoked violent and indiscriminate

response from the state.

Despite the repeated pledges of zero tolerance to rights violations by Indian Prime

Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh and the ex-Chief Minister Mr. G.N. Azad and

present Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah, people witnessed 152 civilians killings in

2008, while as in 2009, 84 civilians lost their lives besides 13 custodial killings were

reported during the two-year period.

According to media reports available, between June 2008 and December of the same

year, 1876 people including women and children were injured in state violence and as per

the hospital reports out of them 640 were operated upon and 6 were amputated.

Similarly, year 2009 witnessed indiscriminate use of force by the state forces as a

response to people’s protests injuring 1600 civilians, which includes women and

children.

In 2007, 2 political activists of National Conference and one each from Congress and

PDP were killed. In 2008 two political activists of PDP and Congress were killed while

as 5 political activists of National Conference were killed in the year 2009