At least 77 complaints of custodial killings, rape, torture and enforced disappearances by the Army were reported in the last three years from various States, including Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Tripura, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
The complaints pertained to the killing of 31 people in custody, disappearance of nine and one incident of rape, besides five cases of torture and illegal detention.
Sharing this information in the Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Monday 38 cases were reported from Assam, 14 in Manipur, four in Arunachal Pradesh and 19 in Kashmir. Moreover, 11 cases were in various stages of judicial proceedings in the Jammu & Kashmir High Court, he said. Incidentally, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is in force in all these States.
Replying to a question about the number of complaints, Parrikar said in a written reply, that the Army took action against 14 of its personnel in connection with the killing of civilians in an operation in Machhil sector in Kashmir in 2010. The State had seen widespread agitation and the Army took action based on newspaper reports about the alleged false encounter.
In Northeastern States, the Minister said 32 cases were undergoing trial proceedings, adding request for prosecution was received for two cases. These two incidents in 2008 and 2010 involved death of two persons and prosecution was initiated against two officers and other personnel.