On August 30th, the world observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, a sad reminder of the thousands of lives shattered by the cruel practice of state-sanctioned abductions. In Kashmir, this day resonates with a haunting significance. The region, scarred by decades of conflict, has witnessed over 10,000 cases of enforced disappearances, each one a tale of untold anguish and unresolved loss.

 

Kashmiris know who were the forces that picked up their loved ones in the dead of night and never returned them. In 2011, a team of eleven members uncovered over 2,700 unmarked graves across four districts in North Kashmir. While police (read mercenaries) asserted that these graves held the remains of “unidentified militants,” the report revealed a different story: 574 of the bodies were identified as missing locals, with 17 already exhumed and reburied in family or village cemeteries. The findings led to the conclusion that these graves belonged to Kashmiris who were victims of enforced disappearances. These burial sites stand as stark evidence of mass murder carried out by Indian forces. It is not surprising that Kashmir is home to over 7,000 unmarked graves, most of which contain the tortured and mutilated remains of individuals who were victims of enforced disappearances. These graves are a chilling testament to the brutal tactics employed to suppress dissent and maintain control. Each grave tells a silent story of suffering and injustice, representing the countless families left in anguish and uncertainty. The existence of these unmarked graves underscores the urgent need for international intervention and accountability to address these human rights violations and bring closure to those affected. The state not only denies the occurrence of enforced disappearances but has also enacted laws like AFSPA, granting full impunity to the perpetrators and shielding them from accountability, thereby obstructing the path to justice. Among the 8,000 to 10,000 civilians who have been forcibly disappeared is Javaid Ahmad Ahangar, a 16-year-old who was taken from his home on August 18, 1990, never to be seen again. His mother, Parveena Ahanger, began an unrelenting search for him, during which she brought together other families enduring similar heartache. This collective quest for answers led to the formation of the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), with Parveena as the Founder and Chairperson. For over twenty-five years, APDP, under Parveena’s leadership, has been tirelessly fighting for justice, demanding the state reveal the fate of the thousands of missing Kashmiris. But who will answer the cries of these mothers when over ten lakh occupational soldiers enjoy complete impunity in the region? Indian occupying forces have been killing Kashmiris at will, knowing well that there will be no accountability and that they are there to kill and control no mater how brutal and horrendous tactics they employ.

 

These disappearances are not just statistics; they represent lives abruptly interrupted, families torn apart, and a relentless quest for justice. The victims of enforced disappearances in Kashmir are predominantly young men, often taken in the dead of night by armed forces. These individuals vanish without a trace, leaving behind families caught in an agonizing limbo, uncertain whether to mourn or to hope. The discovery of mass graves in various parts of Kashmir has further deepened the mystery, suggesting that many of the disappeared may lie buried in unmarked plots, far from the eyes of their loved ones. The impact of enforced disappearances extends beyond the immediate victims. Families of the disappeared live in perpetual uncertainty, their lives overshadowed by the absence of their loved ones. This state of limbo has profound psychological effects, often leading to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. The social stigma associated with disappearances further isolates these families, compounding their suffering. This horrendous practice of enforced disappearances has eroded the fabric of society. It has, over the years, created an environment of fear and distrust, undermining the rule of law and fostering a culture of impunity. In Kashmir, this has led to a pervasive sense of insecurity, where ordinary citizens feel vulnerable to arbitrary detention and violence. Despite the gravity of the situation, there has been a conspicuous lack of international attention and action. Human rights organizations have called for thorough investigations, but concrete steps towards justice remain elusive.