By Ajmer Wani
SRINAGAR: Highlighting the importance of unearthing facts regarding unmarked graves to provide answers to all the questions arising out of it, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday rejected the misnomer of ‘mass graves’ attached to this subject.
Replying to a discussion on the issue in the Legislative Assembly here, the Chief Minister said that misinformation is being circulated about these graves by tagging ‘mass graves’ to them. “the most of the graves have only one person and a few are with two persons but no grave is having more than two persons”, he said.
“We are circulating a wrong impression when we give the name of ‘mass graves’ to these unmarked graves identified recently and reported in the media”, he said adding that it gives an impression to the outside world as if hundreds of people are buried in few graves as had been done in Cambodia or during the time of Hitler.
He said these graves have appeared during the period from 1990 to 2006 and not relate to the tenure of the present Government. “I could have easily said that this matter does not pertain to my period but for the importance of the issue and to give justice to the people, I categorically announced that the report and recommendations of the State Human Rights Commission would be given due weightage and action taken to find out the facts and bring these before the people”, he elaborated.
Omar Abdullah said that some newspaper has reported about 2,500 similar graves in Poonch again attaching the impression of ‘mass graves’. “I have examined the records which reveal that 2,136 militants have been killed in Poonch since 1990 of which 2,090 were foreign origin, thus graves would be there but to declare them ‘mass graves’ of unidentified persons cannot be real reflection of facts”, he said adding that wherever militants have been killed by the security forces, they were buried as per Islamic rights and their graves exist.
The Chief Minister disclosed that the militants from 12 foreign countries including Russia, Chechnya, Sudan, Pakistan, Britain and Afghanistan have been killed in encounters in the State and their graves do exist. He said the members of recently surrendered Pir Panchal Group of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen have identified graves of two teachers who were missing for more than 7 years and had been killed by HM tagging them as Mukhbirs (Informers).
However, Omar Abdullah said that it was essential to know all facts about these unmarked graves and give answer to every question in this regard. “We have to co-relate the figures. The figures quoted by media, SHRC and government totally differ one another. The official figure about the civilian killings during the period of militancy stands at 17,000 while separatists count them in lakhs”, he said adding that one cannot be certain who is buried where. “Many people have been killed by militants; many militants have lost their lives during trainings and in other incidents. Recently 14 militants have been killed in encounter in Nazir Gurazi’s area and they have been buried there with Islamic rites. Presently we know these were militants and if their graves are found after 20 to 25 years later, the similar questions may arise”, he asserted saying that unless facts are ascertained the accusing finger towards forces is not justified. He said the maxim ‘innocent unless proven guilty’ should apply to all whether men in uniform or others.
Omar Abdullah maintained that a large number of disappeared persons are living normal life across the border, they have married and are engaged in various economic activities but they still exist as disappeared persons here. He said besides Sikhs and Kashmiri Pandits, large number of Kashmiri Muslims have been killed by militants, there have been massacres, political workers have been killed and “my party has suffered largely on this count”. “We also want answers for this and other issues relating to militancy, migration and violation of rights”, he maintained.
Omar Abdullah said the Rehabilitation Policy adopted is aimed at helping the return of the persons who had crossed LoC and are now living normal life there. “But our neighbour will not open gates for them to return with wives and children as it wished them to carry guns. “However, we are working with Home Ministry to facilitate their return”, he said saying that we have received about 900 applications in this regard, of which 100 have been approved.
“There is nothing black and white in Jammu and Kashmir. We have more grey areas. For the importance of the issue, its complexity, and to unearth the facts, I have floated the idea of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) since the time I was in opposition”, he said emphasizing the need for such a Commission jointly by India and Pakistan to find answers to the so many questions and matters pertaining to the subject. “This can be a biggest Jammu and Kashmir centric CBM by the two countries for the people of the State who want to know all about it”, he said and urged the leadership of India and Pakistan to discuss this issue in the dialogue and come forward with a joint strategy.
“Till such time TRC is constituted State Government would not sit still. I have assured you a number of times and reiterate this once again from the floor of this House that my Government would give due weight to the report and recommendations of SHRC regarding unmarked graves. We are not here to hide the facts or conceal the truth but our endeavour is to dig out the facts and bring these before the public”, he said. “This cannot be done overnight but we have to take a start in this direction”, he said and asked those who apprehend their missing dear ones are buried in these graves to help the Government by providing DNA profile so that facts are ascertained. He also told the members that if they have any more solid information about these un-marked graves, they should inform it to SHRC and the government.
Pointing towards BJP members, the Chief Minister said that they cannot be absolved of the responsibility for being in Government at the Centre during the period of militancy. He told them that they have also to give answers to many questions regarding this issue as they were at the helm at the National level.
Criticizing PDP for its unfortunate behaviour regarding the most important issue of unmarked graves and disappeared persons for which discussion was moved by the members of Treasury Bench, Mir Saifullah, Nazir Ahmad Gurazi and Ajaz Ahmad Jan in the House, the Chief Minister said that had PDP been serious and interested about the general public concern regarding the issue they would have not left the House without discussing it on a mere pretext.
“They are only interested in electoral politics and try to derive political mileage out of such serious issues”, he said adding that during their tenure they made the Chairman of Human Rights Commission leave the job for not entertaining his recommendations. “But we are here to support every effort aimed at ascertaining truth and giving justice to the affected families”, he said.
Omar Abdullah also took the British Government to the task adding that it is only shedding crocodile tears for people of Kashmir. He reminded it of its involvement in huge human rights violations in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places. “Do not give us lessons about human rights, we know how you exported people from these countries to the areas where there is no rule of law and indulged in human rights violations”, he said adding that we are not of the grain who hide facts are shirk discussing issues of human rights.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people to help in the efforts of the government to ascertain all facts about the issue. He also urged for removing all misinformation and disinformation about the unmarked graves. “I assure you of my sincere efforts to unveil the truth and give you justice”, he maintained.
Later, initiating discussion on unknown graves, disappeared/missing persons and deaths that occurred in the state since 1989 and need for constitution of “Truth and Reconciliation Commission”, Mir Saifullah sought permanent solution of the Kashmir problem so that such incidents do not occur in future. He said hundreds of unknown graves were found and noone knows how they were killed who are buried therein. He said this needs to be enquired into on priority so that truth is brought to fore.
Mir Saifullah said the people of J&K have suffered much during the turmoil. Many lost their bread earners and loved ones during the militancy period, adding the sufferers need to be given healing touch. Providing information about the missed persons together with proper rehabilitation of the sufferers would serve as a balm to their families, he maintained.
The Legislator said the constitution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the purpose is necessary, besides he said the Kashmir issue should be taken at proper foras for its permanent settlement so that the citizens of the State in future do not face such ugly and inhuman incidents.
Taking part in the discussion, Mr. Ashok Kumar said that it was a matter of great concern which should be investigated into so that affected families would get information about the disappeared and killed persons. He said the dependents of such families need to be rehabilitated.
Mr. Ajiaz Ahmad Jan said the issue needs seriousness of the government so that persons laid in unknown graves and whereabouts of disappeared and missing persons could be ascertained. He said that constitution of a High Powered Committee would prove beneficial to build trust between people and the government.
Hakim Mohammad Yaseen said this matter could be sorted out by rising above the party politics. It was a core issue and should be resolved through collective approach and constitution of unbiased Commission, he added.
Mr. Mohammad Sherief Niaz said during militancy several people were picked up by security forces or militants and thereafter not returned to their homes. The issue needs to be looked into by constitution of a commission so that the families of deceased ones would know about their dear ones and such families also have to be rehabilitated.
Mr. Kafil-ur-Rehman said that hundreds of persons disappeared during turmoil in the state especially in border areas like Karnah, needs to be examined on priority. He said in his area several unknown graves have appeared in gorges and deserted places. Nobody knows whose loved ones they were, he said, adding “when we talk about human rights we should ourselves also be respectful to human rights”.
“The J&K is our identity and we are its identity”, he asserted and said time is ripe for healing the wounds of people and initiating the process of reconciliation. He favored equal distribution of resources and respect for human rights in all areas, which he said is imperative for bringing permanent peace in the State.
Mr. Harsh Dev Singh while expressing concern over the issue of unknown mass graves said that the matter should be probed properly and truth must come out. He said there should not be politics on the dead bodies.
Mr. Ashok Kumar Khajuria also expressed concern over the issue and sought to verify it. He also raised the issue of those Kashmiri pundits who were brutally killed by the militants and sought discussion thereon, which he also termed gross human rights violation.
Mr. Nazir Ahmed Gurezi said that there should be no politics on these human issues. He said PDP is not sympathizer of people, adding the party wants to settle the political scores and keep its vote bank intact. The PDP is known for its double standard, he said, adding they speak one language while in power and another once out of it. He appreciated the Chief Minister’s resolve to setup a fact finding commission in the State which would investigate the disappeared people and other issue related to human rights.
Replying to a discussion on the issue in the Legislative Assembly here, the Chief Minister said that misinformation is being circulated about these graves by tagging ‘mass graves’ to them. “the most of the graves have only one person and a few are with two persons but no grave is having more than two persons”, he said.
“We are circulating a wrong impression when we give the name of ‘mass graves’ to these unmarked graves identified recently and reported in the media”, he said adding that it gives an impression to the outside world as if hundreds of people are buried in few graves as had been done in Cambodia or during the time of Hitler.
He said these graves have appeared during the period from 1990 to 2006 and not relate to the tenure of the present Government. “I could have easily said that this matter does not pertain to my period but for the importance of the issue and to give justice to the people, I categorically announced that the report and recommendations of the State Human Rights Commission would be given due weightage and action taken to find out the facts and bring these before the people”, he elaborated.
Omar Abdullah said that some newspaper has reported about 2,500 similar graves in Poonch again attaching the impression of ‘mass graves’. “I have examined the records which reveal that 2,136 militants have been killed in Poonch since 1990 of which 2,090 were foreign origin, thus graves would be there but to declare them ‘mass graves’ of unidentified persons cannot be real reflection of facts”, he said adding that wherever militants have been killed by the security forces, they were buried as per Islamic rights and their graves exist.
The Chief Minister disclosed that the militants from 12 foreign countries including Russia, Chechnya, Sudan, Pakistan, Britain and Afghanistan have been killed in encounters in the State and their graves do exist. He said the members of recently surrendered Pir Panchal Group of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen have identified graves of two teachers who were missing for more than 7 years and had been killed by HM tagging them as Mukhbirs (Informers).
However, Omar Abdullah said that it was essential to know all facts about these unmarked graves and give answer to every question in this regard. “We have to co-relate the figures. The figures quoted by media, SHRC and government totally differ one another. The official figure about the civilian killings during the period of militancy stands at 17,000 while separatists count them in lakhs”, he said adding that one cannot be certain who is buried where. “Many people have been killed by militants; many militants have lost their lives during trainings and in other incidents. Recently 14 militants have been killed in encounter in Nazir Gurazi’s area and they have been buried there with Islamic rites. Presently we know these were militants and if their graves are found after 20 to 25 years later, the similar questions may arise”, he asserted saying that unless facts are ascertained the accusing finger towards forces is not justified. He said the maxim ‘innocent unless proven guilty’ should apply to all whether men in uniform or others.
Omar Abdullah maintained that a large number of disappeared persons are living normal life across the border, they have married and are engaged in various economic activities but they still exist as disappeared persons here. He said besides Sikhs and Kashmiri Pandits, large number of Kashmiri Muslims have been killed by militants, there have been massacres, political workers have been killed and “my party has suffered largely on this count”. “We also want answers for this and other issues relating to militancy, migration and violation of rights”, he maintained.
Omar Abdullah said the Rehabilitation Policy adopted is aimed at helping the return of the persons who had crossed LoC and are now living normal life there. “But our neighbour will not open gates for them to return with wives and children as it wished them to carry guns. “However, we are working with Home Ministry to facilitate their return”, he said saying that we have received about 900 applications in this regard, of which 100 have been approved.
“There is nothing black and white in Jammu and Kashmir. We have more grey areas. For the importance of the issue, its complexity, and to unearth the facts, I have floated the idea of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) since the time I was in opposition”, he said emphasizing the need for such a Commission jointly by India and Pakistan to find answers to the so many questions and matters pertaining to the subject. “This can be a biggest Jammu and Kashmir centric CBM by the two countries for the people of the State who want to know all about it”, he said and urged the leadership of India and Pakistan to discuss this issue in the dialogue and come forward with a joint strategy.
“Till such time TRC is constituted State Government would not sit still. I have assured you a number of times and reiterate this once again from the floor of this House that my Government would give due weight to the report and recommendations of SHRC regarding unmarked graves. We are not here to hide the facts or conceal the truth but our endeavour is to dig out the facts and bring these before the public”, he said. “This cannot be done overnight but we have to take a start in this direction”, he said and asked those who apprehend their missing dear ones are buried in these graves to help the Government by providing DNA profile so that facts are ascertained. He also told the members that if they have any more solid information about these un-marked graves, they should inform it to SHRC and the government.
Pointing towards BJP members, the Chief Minister said that they cannot be absolved of the responsibility for being in Government at the Centre during the period of militancy. He told them that they have also to give answers to many questions regarding this issue as they were at the helm at the National level.
Criticizing PDP for its unfortunate behaviour regarding the most important issue of unmarked graves and disappeared persons for which discussion was moved by the members of Treasury Bench, Mir Saifullah, Nazir Ahmad Gurazi and Ajaz Ahmad Jan in the House, the Chief Minister said that had PDP been serious and interested about the general public concern regarding the issue they would have not left the House without discussing it on a mere pretext.
“They are only interested in electoral politics and try to derive political mileage out of such serious issues”, he said adding that during their tenure they made the Chairman of Human Rights Commission leave the job for not entertaining his recommendations. “But we are here to support every effort aimed at ascertaining truth and giving justice to the affected families”, he said.
Omar Abdullah also took the British Government to the task adding that it is only shedding crocodile tears for people of Kashmir. He reminded it of its involvement in huge human rights violations in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places. “Do not give us lessons about human rights, we know how you exported people from these countries to the areas where there is no rule of law and indulged in human rights violations”, he said adding that we are not of the grain who hide facts are shirk discussing issues of human rights.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people to help in the efforts of the government to ascertain all facts about the issue. He also urged for removing all misinformation and disinformation about the unmarked graves. “I assure you of my sincere efforts to unveil the truth and give you justice”, he maintained.
Later, initiating discussion on unknown graves, disappeared/missing persons and deaths that occurred in the state since 1989 and need for constitution of “Truth and Reconciliation Commission”, Mir Saifullah sought permanent solution of the Kashmir problem so that such incidents do not occur in future. He said hundreds of unknown graves were found and noone knows how they were killed who are buried therein. He said this needs to be enquired into on priority so that truth is brought to fore.
Mir Saifullah said the people of J&K have suffered much during the turmoil. Many lost their bread earners and loved ones during the militancy period, adding the sufferers need to be given healing touch. Providing information about the missed persons together with proper rehabilitation of the sufferers would serve as a balm to their families, he maintained.
The Legislator said the constitution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the purpose is necessary, besides he said the Kashmir issue should be taken at proper foras for its permanent settlement so that the citizens of the State in future do not face such ugly and inhuman incidents.
Taking part in the discussion, Mr. Ashok Kumar said that it was a matter of great concern which should be investigated into so that affected families would get information about the disappeared and killed persons. He said the dependents of such families need to be rehabilitated.
Mr. Ajiaz Ahmad Jan said the issue needs seriousness of the government so that persons laid in unknown graves and whereabouts of disappeared and missing persons could be ascertained. He said that constitution of a High Powered Committee would prove beneficial to build trust between people and the government.
Hakim Mohammad Yaseen said this matter could be sorted out by rising above the party politics. It was a core issue and should be resolved through collective approach and constitution of unbiased Commission, he added.
Mr. Mohammad Sherief Niaz said during militancy several people were picked up by security forces or militants and thereafter not returned to their homes. The issue needs to be looked into by constitution of a commission so that the families of deceased ones would know about their dear ones and such families also have to be rehabilitated.
Mr. Kafil-ur-Rehman said that hundreds of persons disappeared during turmoil in the state especially in border areas like Karnah, needs to be examined on priority. He said in his area several unknown graves have appeared in gorges and deserted places. Nobody knows whose loved ones they were, he said, adding “when we talk about human rights we should ourselves also be respectful to human rights”.
“The J&K is our identity and we are its identity”, he asserted and said time is ripe for healing the wounds of people and initiating the process of reconciliation. He favored equal distribution of resources and respect for human rights in all areas, which he said is imperative for bringing permanent peace in the State.
Mr. Harsh Dev Singh while expressing concern over the issue of unknown mass graves said that the matter should be probed properly and truth must come out. He said there should not be politics on the dead bodies.
Mr. Ashok Kumar Khajuria also expressed concern over the issue and sought to verify it. He also raised the issue of those Kashmiri pundits who were brutally killed by the militants and sought discussion thereon, which he also termed gross human rights violation.
Mr. Nazir Ahmed Gurezi said that there should be no politics on these human issues. He said PDP is not sympathizer of people, adding the party wants to settle the political scores and keep its vote bank intact. The PDP is known for its double standard, he said, adding they speak one language while in power and another once out of it. He appreciated the Chief Minister’s resolve to setup a fact finding commission in the State which would investigate the disappeared people and other issue related to human rights.
Comments
Post a Comment