Omar orders DNA tests on bodies in unmarked graves,’won’t hide truth’

The motion was submitted by ruling National Conference MLAs Mir Saifullah,Nazir Gurezi and Aijaz Jan.

Omar said DNA profiling of people buried in unmarked graves,the existence of which was revealed in a report by SHRC’s investigative wing,will take some time but the government had no intention of hiding the truth.

“It will take time. It will not happen overnight but a beginning can be made. It is not our intention to hide the truth,” the chief minister said.

Omar said his proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission could answer people’s questions about the unmarked graves and other issues that have come up during the 22 years of turmoil in the state.

“It will be the biggest confidence-building measure from India and Pakistan to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I want the two countries to include the Commission in their dialogue process,” he said.

Omar said there were questions about the start of militancy in the state,killing of political workers and innocent civilians which need to be answered.

“However,till this (commission) happens,we cannot wait. The SHRC report is under our consideration and we will not ignore the recommendations… these will be acted upon,” he said.

Omar also sought to dispel the notion that there were many mass graves existing in the state.

“There are no mass graves. It is an easy word to use and even in the SHRC report there is no mention of mass graves. There are only few graves where two persons are buried but none with more than two bodies,” he said.

Asserting that all missing persons were not buried in unmarked graves,the chief minister said there were many graves in which unidentified foreign militants were buried.

“For example,there is a media report about 2,500 unmarked graves in Poonch district. According to official information,there are 2,136 graves in Poonch. Out of these,2,090 have foreign militants buried in them who were killed in encounters with security forces,” he said.

Omar said during the conflict over the years,militants from 12 different countries were killed or arrested during counter-insurgency operations. “There were people from Chechnya,Russia,Sudan,Afghanistan,Pakistan and Britain. Their families would also want to know where they are.”

The chief minister also said some of those reported missing from various parts of the state were living on the other side of the Line of Control (LoC).

“We had formulated a rehabilitation policy for the youth who wanted to return home which would have brought forth the truth. However,our neighbouring country will not allow them to come back,” he said,adding,“We will have to find a way for their return without help from the neighbouring country.”

Omar said not all those buried in unmarked graves were killed by security forces as there have also been instances where some of them were killed by militants.