INDER SINGH NEGI: A RESCUER IN UTTARAKHAND BUT A CRIMINAL IN KASHMIR Press Release 28 June 2013 Inspector General [IG] Inder Singh Negi, of the Into-Tibetan Border Police [ITBP] is in the news. He is regularly appearing on news channels briefing about the ITBP rescue and relief operations in Uttarakhand. The media is hailing him and his team for their courage and compassion while carrying out their duty in Uttarakhand of saving lives. But he has rarely, if at all ever, been in the news for his alleged role in the disappearance of Mohammad Ashraf Koka on 27 October 2001. Mohammad Ashraf Koka’s family continues to struggle for justice. Writ petitions have been followed by numerous contempt petitions and recourse to the State Human Rights Commission [SHRC]. The Jammu and Kashmir Police confirm the disappearance of Mohammad Ashraf Koka and believe that IG Inder Singh Negi and 10 other personnel of the ITBP are responsible. But, to date, the ITBP refuses to cooperate and IG Inder Singh Negi has managed to get a stay on the holding of an identification parade. Every effort is made to scuttle the processes of justice and persuade the family of the victim to compromise. Indian State has not only helped Inder Singh Negi to escape culpability in Mohammad Ashraf Koka’s enforced disappearance case but has been consistently promoted. IG Inder Singh Negi must know that there will be no compromise. APDP and the families of the disappeared will continue to struggle and resist until justice is done. This struggle will continue despite the refusal of the Indian State to end impunity in Jammu and Kashmir. It has been reported that DNA testing is being carried out for unidentified bodies in the Uttarakhand tragedy. While this is praiseworthy, if it can be done in Uttarakhand, why not in Jammu and Kashmir to help ascertain the identity of the numerous bodies [7000+] buried in unmarked graves and mass graves? In April this year it was also reported that the army was collecting and storing DNA samples of all its personnel. Why not then in Jammu and Kashmir? Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Home Department, declared on 13 August 2012 to the SHRC that it could not act on the SHRC recommendations for investigations into the graves. On the question of conducting DNA tests on the bodies interred in the graves, it is stated that with “only 15/16 recognized labs in the Government as well as in the Private Sector, in the entire country” a comprehensive process cannot be undertaken. Instead, a ludicrous and unique solution is put forward: a blood relation of the victim “should be in a position to indicate with fair amount of certainty the exact location of the graveyard and the grave which is now sought to be re-opened”. IG Inder Singh Negi and the Indian State have not shown any courage in Jammu and Kashmir as they refuse to subject themselves to the legal process. APDP will continue to shame them for what they have done, and will continue to struggle so that the sacrifices of the victims and survivors are not in vain. In this struggle, the efforts of fellow survivors – such as the villagers of Kunan Poshpora – are an inspiration. We salute them and stand with them. Tahira Begum Spokesperson, ASSOCIATION OF PARENTS OF DISAPPEARED PERSONS via Khurram Parvez
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 09:39:22 +0000
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