Srinagar, December 31 (KNO) : The year 2018 turned a bloodiest in more than a decade as this year witnessed over 550 killings in the Valley with Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) in its annual report revealing that 31 children and 18 women were among the civilians who were killed in this year in Kashmir.
“31 Children were killed in the 2018, a blood soaked year which has seen surge in violence highest in a decade. 586 people were killed including 160 civilians, 267 militants and 159 members of Indian armed forces and Jammu and Kashmir police,” the annual report by Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons and Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), said, a copy of which lies with KNO.
The report says that year 2018 was the deadliest year of the last decade, revealing that 145, 216 and 267 militants have been killed in Kashmir in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively. “Year 2012 witnessed least number of killings,” it added.
“At least 160 civilians were killed in the year 2018 and 18 among them were women,” the report added, revealing the year also witnessed killing of at least 31 children, accounting for nearly 20% killings of civilians, which is highest in the last ten years.
“The year saw extrajudicial executions of at least 160 civilians with the month of May recording the highest (28) civilians killed this year. November recorded highest (61) killings followed by October with 57 killing,” it said.
“The four districts of South Kashmir – Kulgam, Anantnag, Pulwama and Shopian jointly recorded highest number of civilian killings with 85, while North Kashmir districts of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora recorded 24 civilian killings and the Central Kashmir districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam recorded 13 civilian killings,” the report claimed, adding that in 2018, three civilians were forcibly disappeared and their dead bodies later surfaced.
“The crime of enforced disappearances is continuing crime and the Indian State continues to be in denial about the 8000 enforced and involuntarily disappeared persons. The government in Kashmir is reluctant to carry out forensic investigations into 7000 unmarked and mass graves despite several SHRC recommendations,” it said.
“Sexual violence as a ‘weapon of war’ continues to be prevalent in Jammu and Kashmir as the horrifying rape and murder of an eight year girl from Kathua in January 2018 demonstrates. In 2018, there were other cases where allegations of rape were made against CRPF personal in Poonch and in another case an Indian army personal was arrested by police for allegedly abducting a girl in Poonch,” the annual report added.
“In February this year, JKCCS submitted a petition to State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) listing 143 cases of sexual violence cases in Kashmir and demanded investigation but till now no progress has happened in the case,” the report added.
“In 2018, several cases of State surveillance were reported in Kashmir. This year, there were reports that army in Kashmir is seeking information on populations, from the police in the vicinity of the armed forces camps.”(KNO)