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Rape in Jammu and Kashmir

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Further information: [[:Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir]]

The security forces in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir have been accused by human rights activists of using rape and molestation as a punitive and intimidating measure against civilians believed to be sympathisers of terrorists, by armed personnel representing India's central government.[1] The number of armed personnel is estimated at 3 to 5 lakhs and include the Army, the Central Reserve Police Force and the Border Security Force.[2] Khan (2006) considers that these excesses in "occupied Kashmir" do not have official sanction, but are easy to commit because of the powers vested to security forces by the law.[3] The authorities use association with terrorists to discredit the testimony of the victims, in case the association is established.[4]

Hindu civilians have been subjected to rape and murder perpetrated by members of terrorist organisations like the JKLF and the Hezb-ul Mujahidin and about a 100 such groups.[5] These abuses have forced over three lakh Hindus to leave the Kashmir valley, suffering internal displacement to refugee camps in Jammu and New Delhi. Muslim civilians who are considered political opponents of terrorists or those who are believed to be informers have also been raped or murdered.[2]Muslim women have been forced to wear the burkha and violators have had acid thrown on their faces by Muslim religious fundamentalists.[6]

Incidences

Wikileaks cables are reported to contain material stating that the International Committee of the Red Cross briefed US officials in India, alleging that India "condoned" torture and that "sexual penetration" formed part of the maltreatment of victims. The ICRC alleged that of the 1296 detainees interviewed, 681 had reported of being tortured. Of those, 304 individuals complained of sexual torture/abuse.[7]

In April 2002, authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir arrested three Indian paramilitary soldiers following the gang rape of 17-year-old girl.[8] In July 2011, there were anti-India protests in Srinagar against the alleged rape of a 25-year-old village woman in the village of Manzgam. [9]

In October 2011, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir apologised for the release of names, parentages and addresses of 1400 rape victims. However, no details were revealed as to whether the rapes were by security forces, militants or part of crime. [10]

Kunan Poshpora incident

Main article: Kunan Poshpora incident

On February 23, 1991, Indian army searched and interrogated people at the Kunan Poshpora village, an which is an isolated hamlet in Jammu and Kashmir, at 11:00 PM soldiers of the Rajputana Rifles cordoned off the village. Males were interrogated overnight. The soldiers are accused to have gang-raped a large number of village women that night till 9:00 AM as well as the next day.[11] According to the locals up to 100 women "were gang-raped without any consideration of their age, married, unmarried, pregnancy etc.,"[11] Victims of this incident range in age from 13 to 80.[12][13][14][15][16]

Indian investigations dismissed these incidents as "massive hoax orchestrated by militant groups and their sympathizers and mentors in Kashmir and abroad".[17] Government investigations rejected the accusations as "baseless", but international human rights organizations have doubt the integrity of these investigations seriously including the manner of their conduct, saying Indian government had launched a "campaign to acquit the army of charges of human rights violations and discredit those who brought the charges."[18] According to United States Government there was "credible evidence" to support such charges.[19]

References

  1. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/22/kashmir-protests-thousand_n_907200.html
  2. ^ a b http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/INDIA935.PDF
  3. ^ L. Ali Khan (2006). A theory of international terrorism: understanding Islamic militancy. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. pp. 33–. ISBN 978-90-04-15207-6. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  4. ^ Anuradha Kumar (1 January 2002). Human Rights. Sarup & Sons. p. 102. ISBN 978-81-7625-322-2. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  5. ^ http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/jan/19kanch.htm
  6. ^ Major P. Rajan (1 January 2006). Impact of terrorism on Jammu and Kashmir tourism. Gyan Books. pp. 87–88. ISBN 978-81-7835-474-3. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  7. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8208084/WikiLeaks-India-systematically-torturing-civilians-in-Kashmir.html
  8. ^ "SOUTH ASIA | Kashmir troops held after rape". BBC News. 2002-04-19. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  9. ^ by: From correspondents in Srinagar (2011-07-23). "Kashmir protests alleged rape by soldiers | thetelegraph.com.au". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2012-03-10. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ "Kashmir leader apologises for rape victims list". Straitstimes.com. 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  11. ^ a b Crossette, Barbara. India Moves Against Kashmir Rebels. New York Times. April 7, 1991.
  12. ^ Anjum, Aaliya. Wailing woes. Combat Law. September, 2007.
  13. ^ Mattu, Abdul Majid (2002). Kashmir Issue: A Historical Perspective. Ali Mohammad & Sons. "On February 23, 1991, at least 23 and perhaps as many as 100 women were reported to have been raped in the village of Kunan Poshpora by soldiers of the Fourth Raj Rifles, who were posted in Kupwara."
  14. ^ Human Rights Watch. Abdication of Responsibility: The Commonwealth and Human Rights. 1991.
  15. ^ Asia Watch. Human Rights in India: Kashmir Under Siege, An Asia Watch Report. 1991. p88.
  16. ^ International Human Rights Organisation. Indo-US Shadow Over Punjab. 1992. p185. "...reports that Indian armymen belonging to the 4th Rajputana Rifles of the 68 Mountain Division entered a settlement at Kunan Poshpora in Kupwara district on the night of February 23-24, 1991 and gangraped a minimum of 23 and a maximum of 100 women of all ages and in all conditions."
  17. ^ Ramesh Chandra (2003). Terrorism in India. Gyan Publishing House. pp. 149–. ISBN 978-81-7835-267-1.
  18. ^ Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch World Report 1992 — India. 1992.
  19. ^ State Department Cites China and Other Nations for Human-Rights Abuses 1 February 1992. New York Times.
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