#KUNANPOSHPORA: OBFUSCATION CONTINUES Press release 18 September 2013 The three month deadline given by Judicial Magistrate Kupwara to the Jammu and Kashmir Police for investigations in the Kunan Poshpora mass rape/torture case expired today. In the interim – from 18 June to 18 September 2013 – the Jammu and Kashmir police have carried out no investigations, and on the contrary have only sought to frustrate the victims. For example, on 3 July 2013, two women victims were called to the Kupwara Court to have their statements recorded. After five hours of waiting, they were informed that the plan for the day had been cancelled. A protest letter was sent to SSP Abdul Jabbar (investigating officer in the case) to explain the disrespectful conduct towards the victims and to provide a detailed schedule for the investigations.This letter was completely ignored. In the last three months the police have recorded no statements from the victims, witnesses, or even from the accused army personnel. Now recently, on 13 September 2013, the police sought a further six months time for investigations.The SSP Kupwara’s application for extension states that the police has been in touch with the army, victims, and the Block Medical Officer who carried out medical examinations of the victims in 1991. Further, according to him the army has also sought more time to provide the requisite information. On 14 September 2013, the lower court granted a three month extension; sadly by disregarding the right of the victims and their lawyers to be heard before passing an order, wherein the victims could have belied the submissions of the SSP Kupwara who intentionally seems to have misled the court. The Kunan Poshpora case over the last three months mirrors the past experience of investigations in Jammu and Kashmir. The army does not deem it necessary to subject itself to investigations.The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, including the Jammu and Kashmir Police, deem it necessary to appease the army. Every attempt is made to protect State forces, and frustrate the victims and people. Further, the institutionalized and systemic violence in Jammu and Kashmir ensures that the judiciary does not assert higher principles of justice and the rule of law to make accountable the culpable armed forces personnel. In the instant case, the Judicial Magistrate Kupwara has most irregularly not even provided an opportunity to the victims to be heard before passing his order. The delay and denial of justice for 22 years was to help the perpetrators and frustrate the victims. The policy of obfuscation, denial and delay of justice continues. The extension, without hearing the victims who were on record, granted by Judicial Magistrate, Kupwara, and the unabated policy of delay will be challenged in the High Court. - Kunan Poshpora Village Committee - Support Group for Justice for Kunan Poshpora - Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society #YungKashmiri
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 10:38:08 +0000
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