Indian military, paramilitary and police personnel have widowed 22,899 women and molested 11,113 others since the start of state terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir in January 1989.
According to a report released by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, thousands of women were among 95,316 Kashmiris martyred by Indian military, paramilitary and police personnel since January 1989 till date.
“Since January 1989, the incessant Indian state terrorism rendered 22,899 women widowed. The Indian forces’ personnel molested 11,113 women that included victims of Kununposhpora mass rape and Shopian double rape and murder,” it said.
It should be recalled that an eight-year girl, Aasifa Bano, of Kathua, was abducted, gang-raped and subsequently murdered by Indian police personnel, last year. A painful incident at the hands of Indian forces that sent shock waves across the globe.
The report said that thousands of women lost their sons, husbands, fathers and brothers in the occupied territory who were subjected to custodial disappearance by Indian Army.
As per the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, more than 8,000 Kashmiris went missing in custody during the past 30 years, it added.
The report further noted that several women including Hurriyat leaders, Aasiya Andrabi, Fehmeeda Sofi and Naheeda Nasreen were facing illegal detention.