Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir State Human
Rights Commission (SHRC) 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 like 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 (APDP),
which claimed existence of over 3,844 unmarked graves at 208
sites in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu region.
PTI
First Published: Friday, September 16, 2011, 20:46