Petitioners vow to take Kunan-Poshpora case to logical conclusion Srinagar, June 22: Terming the order of Judicial Magistrate Kupwara for reinvestigation of the Kunan-Poshpora alleged mass rape case, the petitioners have vowed to take the struggle to the logical conclusion. “For 22 years, the villagers of Kunan Poshpora have lived with injustice. For 22 years, civil society and human rights activists, journalists, lawyers, social workers, and Indians, came, heard their story, clicked their pictures, and left. There have been contributions along the way, but, mostly, it has been 22 years of absolute and continued injustice”, the group said in a statement “The order of the Judicial Magistrate, Kupwara on 18 June 2013 for further investigations is an achievement. It is an achievement for a people who did not forget for 22 years. Yes, it is the same Jammu and Kashmir Police which will carry out further investigations. Yes, it is the same Indian army from whom “co-operation” for investigations will be sought. The army has consistently refused to cooperate with investigations. Yes, in 23 years, the Indian State has not granted sanction for prosecution [a stage and a fight that is looming ahead] for a single case against the armed forces. The Indian Supreme Court in its Pathribal decision does not make an exception for even rape and considers allegations of rape as being part of the official act and thereby requiring sanction. All this is known and understood. But, struggle and resist one still must. Not to repose confidence in the State, but to push it, and along the way expose it as not being willing to provide justice, thereby strengthening the argument for a turn to international law. The engagement with the processes seeks to expose how the domestic remedies are illusionary and meant to exhaust and frustrate. This engagement seeks to unveil and unmask the Indian State. It is clear that the people of Kunan Poshpora understand this, and will continue the fight. But, will we?”....................
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 17:07:51 +0000
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