New Delhi: "Bandits and criminals" have been taking advantage of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and are raping, murdering, extorting money and using mafia practices and later blaming security forces for the crimes, says a Europe-based think tank.
In its recent report, Belgian Association for Solidarity with Jammu and Kashmir said while bandits and criminals are there in every society, in J&K, however, they are taking advantage of the troubled situation.
"They are abducting people for money, raping, murdering, extorting money, using mafia practices, etc under the cover of 'the movement'. For them this is a lucrative industry and under the present circumstances, it is easy to blame the security forces of all crimes that are committed," said the report prepared by the Belgium-based organisation after visiting the state in summer this year.
During the visit, the team of the think-tank led by Paul Beersmans met a cross-section of the people including pro-Pakistan Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate leaders including Bilal Lone and Abdul Gani Bhat besides politicians from the mainstream political parties.
In its 17-page report, it condemned the separatist leadership for turning a blind eye to human rights violations being committed by terrorists.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, October 30, 2011, 13:59