Qalandar Khatana and his childhood friend, Maroof Ahmed, were subjected to intense torture by the Border Security Force leaving them handicapped. Both of them were accused of aiding militants crossing through the area, a claim which was never proved. Qalandar Khatana lost his both legs while as Maroof had to get his one leg amputated besides the heavy loss of property to both the victims. Till date nobody helped these two families in any way and the families are living in poor financial conditions. The State Human Rights Commission had in 2007 directed Border Security Force to pay a relief of Rs 75000 to Khatana, for chopping off his feet by the forces in custody. The charge of torturing Qalandar Khatana was confirmed by the then IGP Kashmir, Superintendent of Police Kupwara, concerned Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildar. Pir Azhar reports from one of the last villages, Kothiya Muri, on the Indian side of Kashmir of Kupwara district.
Severe Army Torture renders two Kupwara friends Handicapped
