Army refutes Asiya's rape allegations

Srinagar, July 18 (UNI) The Army in Jammu and Kashmir today termed ''baseless'' the allegations of rape and molestation levelled against soldiers by Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of Faith) chairperson Asiya Andrabi.

In a statement here, a defence spokesman said Mr Andrabi has levelled baseless allegations on the conduct and behaviour of security forces in Kashmir.

''The statement of Ms Andrabi is reflective of the desperation among the fundamentalists and radical elements whose efforts at enslaving the Kashmir women have already been emphatically rejected by the cultured, learned and progressive society,'' he added.

The spokesman said the desperation appeared to have heightened possibly in the wake of recent events across the border and a need was being felt by radicals to make their presence felt.

''It is not the Indian Army, but various elements from across the border at varying times in history have sexually exploited Kashmiri women. In 1947, it was the Indian Army, which came to their rescue when kabailis (tribesmen) from Pakistan indulged in unbridled rapes and plunders in Baramulla and Uri,'' he said.

For the past 20 years the spokesman said it has been foreign as well as Pakistan-trained militants who have indulged in such acts.

''In such an environment to harp on the acts of few misguided individuals seems an attempt to unfairly tarnish the image of the Army whose history is replete with sacrifices made for the protection of Jammu and Kashmir and its people,'' he added.

The spokesman said the radicals were understandably upset over the response shown by the enlightened and empowered Kashmiri women.

There was every reason to believe that Kashmir society continue to further the empowerment process, he added.

In a news conference here on July 16, Ms Andrabi advised the Kashmiri women to carry knives to safeguard their chastity.

She alleged that the Army was using sexual exploitation as a ''war weapon'' in the guise of its 'Operation Sadhbhavna' to ''crush the ongoing freedom struggle'' in Jammu and Kashmir. ''It is a deep-rooted conspiracy by the security forces to exploit the innocent people of Jammu and Kashmir,'' the Dukhtaran chief added.

Ms Andrabi called upon the people to completely boycott the Operation Sadhbhavna (goodwill) and urged them to refrain from taking any help from the orphanages and other institutions run by the Army.

UNI