'Kashmiris subjected to forced labour for 12 years'

Srinagar, April 14 (IANS) A legislator of the Jammu and Kashmir Saturday alleged that people in north Kashmir had been subjected to forced labour for 12 years by the security forces.

Addressing a media conference, independent legislator from north Kashmir Langate constituency Engineer Rashid said: 'It is a fact that people living in Mawar area of Kupwara district were used as forced labour by the security forces for 12 long years.'

'This has also been confirmed by the state police and the issue of their compensation has been pending for long now,' said Rashid.

Rashid said the number of people forced to labour in the border district ran into hundreds.

'It is a huge scandal which must be investigated,' he said.

The legislator also said what has been revealed through media about the interlocutors' report on Kashmir does not address the political aspirations of the people here.

'What has been learnt about the interlocutors' report through the media proves that it is just a report that does not address the problems of the people here,' Rashid said.

'Instead of helping issues, I am afraid the report can complicate matters,' he added.