Police admits 331 custodial killings, 111 disappearances in Kashmir

Srinagar, February 19, 2008:

Police in Indian administered Kashmir have recorded 331 custodial killings and 111 disappearances since insurgency against Indian rule broke out in the region in 1989, newswire agency Agence France Presse reported Monday.

AFP reported that it is for the first time since 1989 that the Indian security officials have given numbers on custodial killings and disappearances.

However Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Shiv Murari Sahai told Kashmir Newz that Police had released no such report.

"We have been recording custodial killings and custodial disappearances. It is our job. But I am not aware of any such report," Sahai said.

Khurram Parvez, coordinator of a local human rights group, Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society said that 8,000 to 10,000 custodial killings have been reported over the past 18 years of insurgency in the region.

Parvez put the custodial disappearances at 15,000.

Officials say many of these people had crossed over the ceasefire line, which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan, for arms training in Pakistan administered Kashmir.

feedback@kashmirnewz.com

Explore

Also Read

Kashmir minister resigns on graft allegations Kashmir demilitarisation in cyber world Shabir Shah rejoins Hurriyat Forgotten roadside memorials in Kashmir jkbank on sale A meeting inside jail with Afzal Guru

Explore