Killings of civilians in Kashmir a genocide, say separatists

The separatists on Thursday said the graph of civilian killings have increased in Kashmir after the threat of army chief Bipin Rawat.

The accusations by separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik came after the killing of a young civilian during clashes with security forces in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district following an encounter with militants on Wednesday night. Three militants were killed in the encounter. The separatist trio, in a statement, urged people to protest after Friday prayers against the “targeted killing” of Tawseef Hussain Wani allegedly by security forces in Pulwama.

Police said Wani was a “chronic stone–pelter” and he died after security forces used riot-control measures as a “violent mob attacked a police post” after the burial of militants in Kakapora Pulwama.

While condemning the killings and injuries to over 40 civilians during the clashes, the separatists termed it as “genocide” of Kashmiri youth.

“After Indian army chief Bipin Rawat’s threat, the graph of civilian killings has increased in Jammu and Kashmir and the forces have been provided a licence to kill at will,” the statement by the separatists on Thursday said.

In mid-February, army chief Bipin Rawat had said that people interfering with security forces during anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir would be considered anti-nationals and will face stringent action.

The comments had come after a trend emerged in Kashmir valley where local youth would flock the encounter sites during the raging gun fights to help militants flee.

THE ACCUSATIONS BY SEPARATIST LEADERS CAME AFTER THE KILLING OF A YOUNG CIVILIAN DURING CLASHES WITH SECURITY FORCES IN SOUTH KASHMIR