J&K unmarked graves: Government nod for DNA test

Amid boycott by main opposition People’s Democratic Party, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday expressed willingness to match the DNA of the relatives of the disappeared people with those buried in the unmarked graves if they specify the graveyard where they suspect their near and dear ones are buried.

Omar dispelled the impression that there are any mass graves in J&K. He urged the relatives of the disappeared people to lodge the FIR with the human rights cell for further action on their claims.

“Those people who want answers for their lost relatives should file an FIR in our human rights cell and specify (where they suspect their near ones are buried) since it is not one graveyard but different cemeteries (where these unmarked graves are located),” said Omar.

Chief minister urged the relatives to give their DNA samples so that it could be matched with the bodies buried in these unmarked graves. “We will conduct the DNA tests so that the facts are ascertained,” he said.

Omar hastened to add that that not every disappeared person is dead maintaining that some missing people are living in Pakistan or Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

“Some disappeared people are working as drivers, shopkeepers or labourers in PoK. Some of them got married and have kids,” he said.

Omar reassured the people that the State Human Rights Commission recommendations in unmarked graves issue will not be ignored.