Shahabuddin Condemns Atrocities and Special Laws

The Insaf Party has noted with concern and anguish the sharp rise in the incidence of atrocities against the people of the Valley in J & K since mid-January, 1991, although immediately after Shri Chandra Shekhar assumed the office of the Prime Minister the incidence had fallen.

Since mid-January, 1991, the following major cases of atrocities against the people have been reported:

19.1.91 Magaral 16 including CRPF Bagh/Ram Bagh women & children

29.1.91 Dayalamp, 1 J & K Policeman Army Anantnag killed 3 citizens beheaded

30.1.91 1) Kocher- 5 services complex Army nag, Anantang blasted 3 firemen killed Army. 2) Palapora, 3 houses & cow- Anantnag slaughter blasted. 5 shot dead (18-70 years) 20 injured with Kukris.

1.2.91 1) Adigam, Anantnag

2) Bringi Nullah, A/Nag

3) Khanyar, Sri- I killed CRPF

The Insaf Party is convinced that State terrorism cannot win hearts, that senseless repression is counterproductive, that state terrorism against unarmed civil population is reprehensible inhuman and unworthy of a civilised state, that arbitrary powers vested in the lower ranks of the security forces under the J & K Disturbed Areas Act and the Armed Forces (J&K) Special Powers Act is being grossly misused and that such atrocities constitute a pattern of persistent violation of human rights which has assumed a genocidal dimension.

The Insaf Party demands that these draconian laws be withdrawn immediately and the security operations in the Valley be directed against the militants and the insurgents and not against the people in general.

 The Insaf Party cautions the Government that such atrocities will ultimately close all doors for reviving the political process or negotiating an acceptable solution of the Kashmir situation.

Authorised for Publication

New Delhi, 15 February, 1991