Would fight for justice till our last breath: Kunan Poshpora Victims

On the 26th anniversary, of the Kunan Poshpora rape incident, the victim survivors said they would fight for justice till their last breath.
The victims, who were disallowed to attend the seminar organized by Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) at local hotel here on Thursday castigated the state government for what they called “muzzling” their voice. “Since the state is headed by a woman Chief minister, we expected that the government will allow us to express our pain and sufferings we faced during the past 26 years,” the victims said.
Even after the passing of more than two and a half decades, justice continues to be a distant dream as the horrific incident of Kunan Poshpora haunts the victims even today.
For Shameema (name changed) life has been full of disappointment and challenges as she has been moving from pillar to post to get justice.
The victims flayed the government for not allowing them to attend the seminar on the 26th anniversary of the incident. “The government doesn’t want us to speak the truth but we want to make it clear that we won’t allow anyone to muzzle our voices,” the victims said.
Government has failed to provide justice to the victims of Kunan Poshpora incident. “Army soldiers used mass rape as a war weapon and trampled the victims on the horrific night on February 23, 1991. It is our bad luck that we are facing trouble to seek justice, no one cares for us but we will fight till out last breathe,” the victims said.
Over 30 women were raped allegedly by Army soldiers on that dark night 26-years ago. The rape charged could not be proved against the accused as no trial was held. During the past 26-years around 6 victims-five females and one male witnesses, have died without getting justice. “The government is waiting for our death which will automatically close the case. But we won’t allow closure of the case. We will continue our fight,” the victims said.
They said around 25 female victims have gone through surgeries and continue to be on medication. “Nobody from civil society or separatist camp came forward to help or support them. We were already disappointed by the successive regimes but there was no help from civil society and others as well,” they said.
Interestingly, State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in 2011 had recommended investigation and compensation for the victims. However, the then government did not pay any heed towards the SHRC recommendation following which 50 women filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in April 2013 before High Court (HC) to seek re-investigation of the case.
In May 2013, HC dismissed the PIL after Jammu and Kashmir Police filed closure report of investigation before Kupowara court. Later in June, the victim survivors approached Sub-Judicial Magistrate, Kupwara, who ordered further investigation by Superintendent of Police within three months.
After continuous inaction by JK Police the survivors in October 2013 approached HC for re-investigation. “The High Court ordered JK government to pay compensation to survivors but the JK government approached Supreme Court to rule in favor of its new decision not to pay compensation,” reads chronology report prepared by JKCCS.
Even if the victims of gory incidents of mass rape in Kunan Poshpora have lost their hope of getting justice, the courage inside them to fight is alive. “The Union of India has filed its petition in Supreme Court but we won’t allow closure of the case at any cost. We will fight till we live,” the victims said.