'Terrorism a lucrative industry in J&K’

“Bandits and criminals” have been taking advantage of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir to rape, murder and extort money using mafia practices only to later lay the blame on security forces for such crimes, says a Europe-based think tank. 

In its recent report, the Belgian Association for Solidarity with Jammu and Kashmir said that 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 for all crimes that are committed,” said the report prepared by the Belgium-based organisation after a visit to the state in summer this year.
   
During the visit, the team from the think tank led by Paul Beersmans met a cross-section of the people including the 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.

“There is no doubt that human rights violations are being committed by the security forces and by the militants. There is also no doubt that not all cases of human rights violations committed by the security forces are disclosed or prosecuted. 

“It is also a fact that the security forces always are blamed if something happens. Separatist leaders are not critical on human rights violations committed by militants. A few months back two teenage sisters were abducted by militants and shot dead in cold blood 'to teach them a lesson'. Nobody dared to criticise this heinous crime,” the report said. The report was referring to the killing of Arifa and Akhter who were allegedly done to death by Lashker-e-Taiba terrorists on January 31, this year in Sopore area.