Syed Nashir Ali Gillani
Srinagar, Dec 10: On the Human Rights Day observed on Monday, the parents of disappeared persons pledged to carry on their struggle for justice.
They staged a sit-in at Press Enclave here under the banner of Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) to register their protest.
Abdul Rahim, a protester who had travelled from his home in Bijbehara, Anantnag, said he would continue his struggle for locating his son who has gone missing 24 years ago.
“On the fateful day, 2-3 persons came to my home to ask for my younger son. They took him along. Since 1994, I have no information about his whereabouts. He was studying in class 9,” Rahim said.
Rahim, father of three children, said he went from pillar to post to find his son.“I went everywhere but couldn’t find him. His mother continuously searched him for almost two years in every nook and corner. She still hopes that he will come,” said Rahim, a fruit vendor.
“At least we should know whether he is alive or not.”
Chairperson APDP, Parveena Ahangar, said they would continue to demand whereabouts of their children.
Ahangar, whose son is one of the estimated 10,000 victims of enforced disappearances in Kashmir, said, “The state has not only denied the phenomena of enforced disappearances but it has also legalised laws like AFSPA. It has provided full impunity to the perpetrators, protecting them and thus creating hurdles in acquiring justice.”
“No government addressed the issue of enforced disappearances. We would continue to seek the whereabouts of our children till our last breath.”
Condemning the use of “excessive violence” against the civilians, she asked the world community to press New Delhi to stop all kinds of “human rights violations”.
Meanwhile, Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) organised a daylong seminar titled ‘Allow international human rights organisations to visit J&K’ here.
The seminar was attended by the cross section of the society.
Addressing the seminar, AIP Leader and MLA Langate, Engineer Rashid, said the government of India should allow the world bodies to visit Kashmir.
“Recently, UNHRC in its report said that the human rights in Kashmir are violated. The security forces are getting indulged in worst human rights violations,” he said.
“India has been saying that everything is fine. If it is so, why is it not allowing the human rights organisations to visit Kashmir?” he asked.
Civil society member, Shakeel Qalander said India treated “Kashmir as its colony”.
“It should give up the colonial mindset,” he said.
Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam urged people to reject all voices speaking in different tunes at different places.
Columnist, Aijaz-ul-Haq said the rights of the Kashmiris have been kept hostage.“Even trees and animals have rights,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir State Rights Commission (JKSRC) also organised a programme on human rights and drug addiction in the auditorium of the Department of Information and Public Relations.
Among others, the function was attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, Swayam Prakash Pani, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Abid Rashid Shah, and Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Syed Sehrish Asgar.
Talking to the media persons, IGP Pani said police was doing “everything possible” to check drug menace.“As far as synthetic drugs are concerned, they are being transported from across the border,” he said.
