Demands Removal of CRPF Camp
SRINAGAR: Expressing strong resentment over the killing of another youth Rafiq Ahmad Rather of Syedpora by CRPF personnel of Gagran camp in Shopian on Wednesday, the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society has demanded immediate removal of the CRPF camp and arrest of CRPF personnel involved in the killings.
Since September 7 this month it is the fifth killing by the same camp. These are all cold blooded killings which mirror the actions of the Indian State over last 23 years, the Society in a statement issued to Kashmir Observer said, adding that the unprovoked action against civilians (extra-judicial executions, enforced disappearances and rape) followed by cover ups, lies and an absolute refusal to allow any investigations and prosecutions are the achievements of Indian State in Kashmir.
Castigating Indian media for their biased coverage, the Society said some Indian electronic media channels propagated the distorted CRPF lies about the murders of these four youth.
The Society in a statement added: As of today, a total of 43 civilians have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir in 2013. A majority of these killings have been carried out by Indian State forces across the spectrum: from the Indian army to the CRPF and BSF and have ranged from Ramban and Kishtwar to Baramulla. During the year 2012, the number of civilians killed was 31.
It said the rising numbers of civilian killed, and more particularly, the manner in which the Shopian killings were carried out and dealt with indicate an escalation of violence on part of the Indian State in Jammu and Kashmir.
Terming Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as equally responsible for killings, JKCCS said the silence of Omar Abdullah meaningfully reveals that armed forces are beyond his control. Now, he has given up on his rhetoric of protecting the human rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir. Nevertheless by being the Chief of the Unified High Command he is partner to all the crimes perpetrated by the Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
Concluding the statement, it said: These recent five killings have taken place from the day when German embassy organized a concert in Kashmir. As the killings took place due to heightened deployment of troops to ensure a smooth concert, it becomes incumbent on the German government to not remain silent on these murders. The German government, as claimed by them that the concert was the beginning of the broader engagement in Kashmir, should now speak out against the Indian State in International institutions and push Indian State to end impunity and human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
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