KL Desk
SRINAGAR
The organization of the parents of disappeared persons (APDP) revealed on Saturday that out of all the cases documented by it, so for, from Srinagar district, 82.25% have eyewitness accounts of the direct involvement of the security forces. APDP alleged that despite proofs no action was taken till date against culprits.
“Despite having the documental evidences against the security forces that are responsible for the enforced disappearances, justice is still awaited,” alleged APDP in a statement issued here.
APDP which organized a yet another sit in on Saturday demanded that India should ratify the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance and repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
“Ridiculous statements are being issued by the governments from time-to-time about the number of the enforced disappeared persons from the state of J&K, which gives clear picture of their frustration and non-seriousness about the issue. Instead of delivering justice to the already existing cases, where the perpetrators are roaming freely, both the state and the central government are busy hushing up this issue and safeguarding the perpetrators, using the draconian laws like AFSPA, PSA, etc,” the statement said.
The statement added, “the suppression and oppression resulting out of over two decade long conflict has rendered the family members of victims of enforced or involuntary disappearances economically crippled, psychologically bruised and socially ostracized”.
Over the years Kashmir witnessed innumerable cases of human rights violations ranging from tortures, extra judicial killings to enforced disappearances. The endless wait, immense pain and unexplained silence describe the pathetic conditions of family members of those who have lost their loved ones.
“The denial of justice has added to the plight of the family members of the disappeared people, APDP said and added, “the impunity provided to the security agencies through laws like AFSPA, DAA, PSA, etc gives them license to kill, disappear, torture, harass and ransack the possessions without being questioned and the tragedy is that the burden of proof shifts on the victims,” it added.
