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The Kunan-Poshpora incident refers to an alleged mass rape that occurred on the night of February 23, 1991, in the twin villages of Kunan and Poshpora in the Kupwara district of Kashmir. It remains one of the most controversial and tragic incidents in the Kashmir conflict.
What Allegedly Happened:
- During a cordon-and-search operation (CASO) conducted by the 4th Rajputana Rifles of the Indian Army, at least 23 women, aged between 13 and 80, claimed they were gang-raped by soldiers.
- Villagers alleged that the men were taken outside, houses were searched, and women were assaulted inside.
- The number of victims, according to some local sources and later activists, could be much higher, even up to 40 or more.
Immediate Response:
- The incident was reported by local media and a First Information Report (FIR) was filed by the police.
- A press council of India (PCI) team led by B.G. Verghese dismissed the allegations, calling them “grossly exaggerated.”
- Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, criticized the investigation as a cover-up and called for an impartial probe.
Controversy and Reinvestigation:
- Over time, the case became a symbol of sexual violence in conflict zones and state impunity.
- In 2011, the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) recommended the case be reopened and compensation paid to the victims.
- In 2013, 39 women petitioned the Kupwara Sessions Court for a reinvestigation.
- Despite continued activism, no Indian soldier has ever been charged or tried in connection with the case.
Legacy:
- The Kunan-Poshpora incident is remembered each year on February 23 as a day of resistance against sexual violence in conflict.
- It remains deeply etched in Kashmiri memory and is frequently cited in discussions on military impunity under laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
- In India, it remains politically and socially divisive, with demands for justice often met with official silence or skepticism
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