SRINAGAR: Over the past 34 years, the Indian illegally-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has witnessed a troubling history of enforced disappearances, a grim reality that has left thousands of Kashmiris in anguish.
This disturbing pattern of events has been laid bare in a recent report from the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service, coinciding with the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
The region, touted as the most heavily militarized zone globally, has been marred by a litany of atrocities – from extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances to torture and sexual violence – perpetrated by Indian security forces over the last three decades. Since 1989, an estimated 8,000 innocent civilians have vanished while in custody after being apprehended by Indian troops, police, and paramilitary personnel.
The escalation of military operations by Indian forces, coupled with a rise in cases of extra-judicial killings, custodial deaths, and staged encounters, serves as a stark reminder of the extremist agenda attributed to the BJP-RSS alliance, driven by the divisive “Hindutva” ideology. Notably, young Kashmiris have borne the brunt of this aggression, targeted by a colossal deployment of over one million Indian forces in the occupied territory.
The report underscores the harrowing plight of families desperately seeking their loved ones who have disappeared. This agonizing search, characterized by fruitless efforts and an economic toll, reveals the profound impact on these families, many of whom lose their primary breadwinners.
Enforced disappearances go beyond silencing dissenting voices; they cast a blanket of uncertainty and fear over entire communities. These inhumane acts have been carried out by various components of the so-called security apparatus, including Indian military, paramilitary units, special task forces, and counterinsurgents, all operating under the aegis of the armed forces.
A grim consequence of these disappearances is the emergence of a new group known as “half-widows” and “half-orphans” – terms that have tragically become part of the everyday language in occupied Kashmir. The impunity enjoyed by security personnel, facilitated by draconian laws such as the Disturbed Areas Act, Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Public Safety Act, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, has created an environment where abuse can flourish unchecked. This environment permits acts of violence, intimidation, and property confiscation to occur without accountability.
The heart-wrenching narratives from families, recounting the enforced disappearances of their loved ones at the hands of Indian forces, underscore the urgency for international intervention. The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) in Srinagar has called on India to fulfill its obligations under international human rights laws, urging accountability and justice for the victims.
In parallel, leaders from the APHC, including Zamruda Habib, Yasmeen Raja, and Farida Bahenji, along with various organizations, have expressed solidarity with the families of the disappeared. They have appealed to the international community to take an active role in locating the missing Kashmiris who have been subjected to custodial disappearances.
The distressing issue of enforced disappearances continues to cast a long shadow over the people of Kashmir. As the global community commemorates the victims of this grave violation, it is imperative that collective efforts are made to address this humanitarian crisis, provide solace to affected families, and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
