Kashmir mass graves: SHRC demands probe

Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission on Friday recommended investigation by an independent "representative structured" body empowered to probe all aspects of unmarked graves in the Valley.

"An independent duly representative structured body having due credibility and weight, fully empowered to go in (to) all questions (and) aspects regarding unmarked graves, disappeared persons ... be constituted and put in place in time," a division bench of the SHRC said.

The bench, comprising Chairperson Justice (retd) Syed Bashiruddin Ahmad and Member Javaid A Kawoos, in its six-point recommendation sought DNA profiling of the bodies in  the unmarked graves in a cluster of villages at various places in north Kashmir's  Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts.

The investigative wing of the SHRC, on the instructions of the bench, had earlier reported that more than 2,000 unmarked graves existed "beyond doubt" at 38 sites across north Kashmir.

"The bodies in unmarked graves...shall be identified by all available means and techniques such as DNA profile, physical description, dental examination, distinctive  medical characteristics, finger prints, carbon dating and forensic pathology (as may be applicable), so that even the identity of dead, in these unmarked graves is possible with the claimed disappeared persons," the bench said.

The bench also recommended prosecution of those found involved in the perpetration of "crime" including culpable homicide.

Meanwhile, the SHRC took cognisance of an application filed by Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, which claimed existence of over 3,844 unmarked graves at 208 sites in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu region.