[Reader-list] Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (Kashmir)

[Yogi Sikand]

  *ASSOCIATION OF PARENTS*
*

OF DISAPPEARED PERSONS

The Bund Amira Kadal, Srinagar – 190001, Jammu and Kashmir
*

*
*

*Date: March 28-2011*

*Press Release*



The government continues to demonstrate deniability on the phenomenon of
enforced disappearances in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the government
agencies we the family members of those who have been subjected to enforced
disappearances are maligning the state agencies. The government wants the
people to believe that most of the disappeared persons have actually crossed
over to Pakistan administered Kashmir for arms training or have left for
some other places. The government refers to these persons as missing people.



The government authorities have been speaking in contradictory terms every
time about the statistics on enforced disappearances in Jammu and Kashmir .
Here are some of the contradictory statements by various Jammu and Kashmir
government representatives:



Ø   On 21st June 2003, the then Jammu and Kashmir Home Minister, Mr. A.R.
Veeri said, 3931 persons are missing from 1989 to June 2003.

Ø   In March 2006, the then Chief Minister, Mr. G. N. Azad said, 693 cases
of disappearances have been registered.

Ø   On 4th August 2006, Mr. G. N. Azad said, 33 custodial disappearance
cases took place from 1990 to 1996.

Ø   On 28th October 2006, Mangat Ram Sharma, the then Health Minister of
Jammu and Kashmir said, 108 cases of custodial disappearances cases have
been registered since 1990.

Ø   On 22nd January 2007 the state government admitted that 1017 youths are
missing according to the survey conducted by state government.

Ø   On 23rd March 2010, the National Conference led government admitted that
1105 persons have disappeared during the turmoil in the state since 1989.



The contradiction in statements exists because successive governments so far
seem not interested in providing justice to the family members of the
disappeared. Every statement by government belies the earlier statements
made by the government representatives. APDP is only interested in knowing
the truth about those who have been subjected to enforced disappearances. We
demand that the government publicize the list of those who according to them
are ‘missing’. Also with this list we urge the government to inform us about
the action it has taken on these cases.



Neither the ruling legislatures, nor the opposition elected representatives
so far have bothered themselves to be of any assistance to the family
members of the disappeared. APDP believes that it is not only the
responsibility of the present government to provide information on the cases
of disappearances but all the members of the state legislative assembly
should help in seeking truth regarding the disappeared persons, as they have
all in the past claimed during their election pledges that they would help
in constituting an inquiry commission to establish the truth about the cases
of enforced disappearances. By remaining silent on the crimes perpetrated on
the people they claim to represent, the elected representatives are becoming
an accomplice in the crime. It is their moral and political responsibility
to confront the perpetrators, instead of competing each other to be in the
good books of perpetrators.



Spokesperson

Ghulam Nabi Mir




-- 
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.


--The Buddha



-- 
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.


--The Buddha