Secret burials in Kashmir

Shahana Butt

Press TV, Indian-Controlled Kashmir

The killing of top pro-independence commander Burhan Wani in 2016 shook the entire administration in Indian-administered Kashmir, after tens of thousands of people participated in his last burial rites.

This killing reignited the sentiments of independence among people of Kashmir and mobilized many youths. Following his killing, Muslim-majority Kashmir observed a protest shutdown for 6 consecutive months.

Later, the massive participation of the general public in the funerals of pro-independence fighters became a norm in Muslim-majority Kashmir. And these large funerals for fighters became a matter of concern for authorities in Kashmir.

Abdul Aziz's 20-year-old son Tahir Ahmad left his home town Pulwama on march 13, to never return. Two months later, his family received a call from the local police station about his death in a gunfight. Tariq was buried some 70 kilometers from his hometown, where his father says scores of graves are marked by numbers.

Authorities say the change in protocol is only aimed at containing the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Sheikh Showkat, a professor of international law at the central university of Kashmir says the government's move is violating the international humanitarian protocol of decent burial.

Massive criticism surrounded the killing of three local youths in a ‘Fake encounter’ who were dubbed as foreign militants. The three bodies were later exhumed after the investigations proved otherwise and were handed over to the families for burials.

The Indian army accepted the breach of power in this case and are further investigating the matter. However, this incident has raised skepticism among the families of young men who are missing either after the arrest or otherwise. The distant graves have added to the grief of many families in Kashmir. Now they are waiting to see whether the bodies will be returned once the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

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