APDP demands impartial probe on custodial disappearances
Srinagar, June 11, 2009: In Srinagar, the parents and relatives of disappeared persons association APDP has appealed the world community to impress upon India to withdraw draconian laws that give impunity to the Indian troops in occupied territory and to decide the plight of the disappeared persons.
APDP while staging a monthly sit-in at Partap Park in Srinagar on June 10, Wednesday urged International human rights bodies to prevail upon India to clear its stand on the fate of thousands of men subjected to enforced custodial disappearance in the past 20 years. The protestors demanded India to reveal the whereabouts of their children who had gone missing since last many years.
On the occasion, APDP member, Parveena Ahangar, whose son disappeared in the custody of armed forces in early ’90s, said that they would continue their protests unless government came clear on the disappearances. While talking to reporters has reiterated that its demand is for an impartial commission to probe the enforced disappearances in Kashmir, adding that the enforced disappearances were going on unabated in Valley. The parents and relatives of the disappeared persons who were carrying banners and placards inscribed with the pictures of their loved ones demanded the information of their whereabouts. She also urged for the revocation of all draconian laws including the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in occupied Kashmir.
Expressing concern over laxity shown by the authorities in taking action against Indian trops and police personnel involved in custodial or enforced disappearances across the Kashmir valley, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) expressed apprehensions that NC-Congress led regime won’t be able to make a difference in this regard.
“Our dear ones were arrested by the police and the paramilitary forces in broad day light, but still no action was taken against them. Cases are pending in courts and a judge is not able to take action against security personnel, since they enjoy unbridled powers under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the Disturbed Areas Act and others Acts,” Parveena said.
The APDP leader said their only demand was that they should be given information about the whereabouts of their loved ones
Gulshan Bano, mother of a disappeared youth, said that her son was innocent and she vowed to continue struggle till her death.
An aged father, Abdul Ahad Rah, while displaying the photos of his two disappeared sons, couldn’t control his emotions and cried said that his two sons Muhammad Shafi Rah and Mushtaq Ahmad Rah were arrested in Nepal in August 2000 and since then they are lodged in an unknown jail. For the past nine years, I am longing to see them, but I don’t know where they are,” Rah said, as tears rolled down his eyes. “At this age, I should be sitting at my home and relying on my sons. But I am moving from pillar to post for knowing their whereabouts,” Ahad said.
On hearing Rah’s agony, a number of aged mothers, whose sons have disappeared during the past 20 years of turmoil, broke down and sobbed.