229 killings, 107 CASO’s, 55 internet shutdowns, 48 properties destroyed in the first half of 2020 in Kashmir: JKCCS-APDP Bi-Annual HR Report

This bi-annual report on the situation of human rights in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir (henceforth J&K) covers the period from 1 January to 30 June 2020.

The first six months of 2020 witnessed at least 229 killings in different incidents of violence.

The first six months of 2020 witnessed the extrajudicial executions of at least 32 civilians in J&K, besides killings of 143 militants and 54 armed forces personnel.

Children and women continued to be victims of violence in J&K as 3 children and 2 women were killed in the first half of 2020.

From January 1 to June 30, at least 107 Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) and Cordon and Destroy Operations (CADO’s) were conducted in J&K which resulted in the killing of 143 militants. At least 57 encounters took place between Indian armed forces and the militants following CASOs in the first six months of 2020. During CASOs and encounters, vandalism and destruction of civilian properties was reported.

In the first six months of 2020, the media continued to be at the receiving end of the pressure, intimidation and harassment by the authorities, with several incidents of beating and thrashing of journalists. Besides physical assaults, few Kashmir based journalists were also booked under stringent charges and cases were filed against them.

The first six months of 2020 witnessed the continuation of the banning of the 4G mobile internet services, which was banned on August 5 last year. The right to access information continues to be severely restricted in J&K as part of the ongoing counter-insurgency measures by the government of India as there were 55 instances of internet blockades recorded from January 1 to June 30 2020.

In J&K, the destruction of civilian properties by armed forces personnel during encounters or while dealing with the protestors saw an uptick in the first six months of 2020. From January 1 to June 30, at least 48 cases of destruction of civilian properties were reported in Jammu and Kashmir. The destruction of civilian properties during encounters saw an increase during the COVID-19 lockdown enforced by the government, rendering many families homeless and without shelter.