INDIA: 63 Women Raped in Kashmir By Soldiers: Police

Date: 
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Source: 
News Blaze
Countries: 
Asia
Southern Asia
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

A police spokesman Thursday revealed that 63 women were raped in the Indian administered Kashmir by Indian security men from 1996 to 2009.

In a statement issued here, a police spokesman said 38 rape cases by Indian security men were reported in Kashmir from November 2002 to October 2005. "From November 2005 to July 10, 2008 13 rape cases by Indian soldiers were reported," he said.

The spokesman said from July 11, 2008 to January 4, 2009, only one rape case by Indian security men was reported. "During the period from January 5, 2009 to February 23, 2010 no rape case by soldiers was reported," he claimed.

The Chief Minister of Kashmir, Omar Abdullah had recently told lawmakers in Kashmir Assembly 11 cases of rape by soldiers were reported in Kashmir from October 1996 to October 2002.

Thus according to official figures at least 63 women have been raped by Indian security men in Kashmir from October 1996 to January 5, 2009.

Human rights groups and civil society organizations working in Kashmir have been stating that hundreds of women were raped and molested by Indian security men in Kashmir during past 20 years of turmoil in the region.