More than 200 people were killed in Kashmir valley last year, says a report by Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a local human rights organization. It further provides a comprehensive compilation of various incidents that took place during the year.

“A total of 233 people have lost their lives due to violent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2011. Out of this, 56 were civilians, 100 were alleged militants, 71 armed forces personnel and six were unidentified persons and counter insurgent renegades,” said a report, adding that 11 out of 56 were students and six were women.

The report said “at least two persons, Susheel Raina of Aishmuqam-Anantnag and Nisar Ahmad Banday of Chechal- Banihal disappeared in 2011. Government as usual has failed to initiate any conclusive investigation into these cases.” It added APDP submitted a list of 1417 cases of disappearances to the chief minister.

The report said that seven persons have been killed in custody and no conclusive investigation or prosecution has taken place in any of these cases. “Whether it was the killing of Ashok Kumar, a mentally challenged person, who was killed in a fake encounter in Surankote-Poonch or the killing of Nazim Rashid of Sopore who succumbed to custodial torture or the custodial death of ruling National Conference party worker, Mohammad Yousuf, who died after he was handed over to the crime branch officials by chief minister, the practice of impunity is consistent.”

The report said “no credible investigations have been carried out, thus creating space for cover- ups.” It has also recorded the killing of eight political workers. “This creates a culture of intolerance and chokes dissent. Somehow the government was quick in probing the death of Molvi Showkat Ahmed Shah, which is a welcome step, but investigations into the killing of seven other civilian political workers haven’t yielded any result. Impartial investigations would bring the perpetrators to justice and also act as a deterrent.”

It further stated that 15 armed forces personnel committed suicide in the state due to unknown reasons and another nine were killed in fratricidal incidents of violence.

The report has also documented a case from north Kashmir in which the victim was allegedly raped in police custody in front of her husband. “Fear and social stigma makes it difficult for victims to report rape or molestation cases.”

It further reports that eight persons lost their lives in explosions last year which were caused due to unexploded shells used during counter insurgency operations and one out of eight deaths was reported due to landmine explosion.

“Hundreds of boys in 2011, when there was no apparent street uprising, were detained on the pretext of being stone-pelters and subjected to torture and harassment. In some cases, people alleged that the police has been demanding ransom for releasing these boys,” the report adds.

It observes that SHRC has tried to assert its existence by passing some significant judgments. Prominent amongst these were about mass-graves in north Kashmir, Kunan Poshpora mass rape case and the plight of prisoners in various jails across the state. “Judiciary continues to put up an abysmal performance and has failed to live up to the expectations of victims.”

It further observed “of course assertions of peace by various quarters are relative. Enforced silence cannot be construed as peace. Despite the hype of peace, people of the state have witnessed unabated violence, human rights abuses and denial of civil and political rights, absence of mechanisms of justice, heightened militarization and surveillance.”

Pertinently, State Information Commission on January 18 directed state government to provide statistics to an RTI applicant about persons who went missing in the state during last 20 years.