20000302

193 Kashmiris

martyred in February

ISLAMABAD: In occupied Kashmir, the Indian troops in continuing acts of state terrorism, martyred 193 more Kashmiris in February, 26 of them in custody.

According to data compiled by Research Desk of Kashmir Media Service, 222 Kashmiris were tortured and injured during the period, 312 Kashmiris were arrested and 153 houses and shops burnt. Nineteen people, mostly youth, were missing in custody. Three women were raped and many molested.

Moreover, stepped up vindictive actions were carried out by Indian troops at various places during the period under report. These included raiding, ransacking and plundering houses and shops. Two mosques were burnt and at least three imams of mosques were arrested. Curfew was frequently imposed at various places, from 6 pm to 8 am, making it impossible for the people to go out even for congregational prayers in mosque. Movements remained restricted in areas adjacent to Badami Bagh cantonment, Srinagar, during the day and totally stopped from dusk to dawn.

The outgoing month also saw the most abhorrent act of military mayhem, on the night falling between 24 and 25 February, on Azad Kashmir side of the Line of Control at village Lanjot, in Nakyal sector, where Indian military commandos sneaked at the dead of night, butchering 14 people including infants and women.ÑAPP