by Talha Imran 3 March 2023
The history of using sexual Violence and rape against an enemy as a tool is as long as the history of human conflict itself. It has been assumed that humanity has civilized and such practices are banished but it seems that New Delhi has not yet received the memo. There have been numerous incidents of sexual violence committed by Indian security forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir, including the Indian Army. These incidents have been documented by various human rights organizations and journalists over the years. The silence maintained by the bulwarks of liberal world order is baffling at best or criminal at worst.
According to a report by the United Nations in 2018, sexual violence is used as a tool of control and oppression in conflict-affected areas, including Kashmir. The report documented cases of rape, sexual slavery, and forced marriage committed by both Indian security forces and armed groups in the region.
The Indian government and the Indian Army have denied these incidents and have maintained that they operate within the law and respect human rights. However, human rights organizations have called for an independent investigation into these allegations and for those responsible to be held accountable.
In an ideal world by which the western liberal order claims to live by remains oblivious and tight lipped. It is important to remember that sexual violence is a serious human rights violation and a crime under international law. It is crucial to investigate and hold accountable anyone responsible for such crimes, regardless of their market potential or economic consideration.
One of the most vicious mass rape incidents took place in the remote villages of Kunan and Poshpora on February 23, 1991. The Kunan-Poshpora Mass Rape incident is a tragic event that involved the alleged rape and sexual assault of over 50 women by members of the Indian Army.
The incident took place during the height of the Kashmir conflict, which had been ongoing since the late 1980s. At the time, Indian security forces were engaged in a waging war of fear in the region to combat freedom struggle. The villages of Kunan and Poshpora were located in a sensitive area close to the Line of Control that divides IIOJK from AJK.
According to survivors and witnesses, on the night of February 23, 1991, Indian Army personnel entered the villages and conducted a cordon and search operation. The soldiers allegedly separated the men from the women and then proceeded to rape and sexually assault the women. The victims ranged in age from 13 to 70 years old, and many were left with physical and psychological injuries.
Despite the severity of the allegations, the Indian Army initially denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the operation was conducted in a professional manner. However, human rights organizations and local activists raised awareness of the incident, and a public outcry ensued.
In 1993, a team of doctors from the Government Medical College in Srinagar examined some of the survivors and confirmed that sexual assault had taken place. However, the investigation was marred by delays and inconsistencies, and no one was ever held accountable for the crimes committed.
The Kunan-Poshpora Mass Rape incident is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of sexual violence in conflict zones. The incident represents a failure of justice and accountability, and it highlights the urgent need for effective mechanisms to prevent and respond to sexual violence.
Over the years, the survivors and their families have continued to demand justice and accountability. The incident has also sparked wider conversations about the need to address the root causes of the conflict in Kashmir and to prioritize the protection of human rights.
The victims of the Kunan Poshpora mass rape have been fighting for justice for many years. Despite multiple investigations and inquiries, no one has been held accountable for the crime. The Indian army and the government have denied any wrongdoing and have rejected the allegations of rape and sexual violence.
The victims and their families have been demanding an independent and impartial investigation into the incident, as well as compensation and rehabilitation for the survivors. Human rights organizations and activists have also been advocating for justice for the victims and have highlighted the need for accountability and an end to impunity for crimes committed by security forces in Kashmir.
In 2014, a local court in Kupwara district reopened the case and ordered a reinvestigation. However, the case was subsequently closed again, and no one was held accountable for the crime. The victims and their families have continued to demand justice, and the case remains a symbol of the struggle for justice and accountability in Kashmir.
It is important for the Indian government to address the issue of sexual violence in Kashmir and hold those responsible for such crimes accountable. The victims of Kunan Poshpora mass rape and other incidents of sexual violence in Kashmir deserve justice, and the international community must continue to support their efforts to seek justice and end impunity for crimes committed by security forces in the region.