Kashmiri Detainees Abused in IIOJK Jails: Torture, Extortion & Human Rights Violations Exposed

Kashmiri detainees face torture, extortion, and abuse in IIOJK jails, especially Baramulla Sub-Jail under SP Barkat Dar’s brutal administration.

Inside the shadowy confines of Indian jails in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), a grim reality unfolds daily. Kashmiri detainees, many of them young political activists and innocent civilians, are subjected to horrifying treatment. Reports of torture, abuse, and extortion are increasingly surfacing, laying bare the true cost of India’s repressive occupation.

According to recent media reports from Srinagar, Baramulla Sub-Jail has become notorious for its inhumane conditions under the supervision of SP Barkat Dar, a long-serving officer from Doabgah Sopore. For over eight years, Dar has reportedly turned the facility into a torture ground, where extortion and mistreatment are routine.

Families of detainees recount chilling encounters during prison visits. Barkat Dar allegedly demands bribes to allow meetings with loved ones. In some shocking cases, families—mostly poor and already struggling—were forced to sell their jewellery or livestock to afford these brief encounters. There are also disturbing allegations that Dar harasses women visitors, asking for their personal contact details.

In recent months, SP Barkat Dar has orchestrated the transfer of over 300 Kashmiri youth to far-flung jails in Jammu and India, including Kot Bhalwal, Udhampur, Rajouri, and even outside IIOJK. These forced relocations serve no legal purpose other than to psychologically torture detainees and further isolate them from their families. The financial burden of long-distance travel adds another layer of suffering.

The continued abuse of Kashmiri political prisoners must not go unchallenged. These are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of state-sponsored repression. Human rights organizations and international media must press India to investigate Baramulla Jail, remove corrupt officials like Barkat Dar, and ensure humane treatment for all prisoners in accordance with international law.