Dukhtaran-e-Millat asks Kashmiri women to arm themselves

Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of the Nation) chief Aasiya Andrabi has exhorted all women in the Kashmir Valley to carry daggers to thwart rape attempts, especially by soldiers.

Srinagar, July 17 : Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of the Nation) chief Aasiya Andrabi has exhorted all women in the Kashmir Valley to carry daggers to thwart rape attempts, especially by soldiers.

"I am appealing to all Kashmiri women to carry sharp weapons with them at all times, as a part of their attire. We visited the border areas and saw lots of women carrying weapons. Now, we are calling on all women of Kashmir to do the same to prevent soldiers from committing atrocities in the name of Operation Sadhbhavna," Andrabi said.

Andrabi, wife of a militant leader, told reporters here that all women must protect themselves.

Security forces have been accused in the past of alleged human rights violations, including rape. Authorities, however, deny any systematic rights violations.Veiled from head-to-toe in black, the Dukhtaran-e-Milat's 'Mariam Squad', named after the Virgin Mary, has raided several suspected brothels and wine shops in the past.

The group became active in Kashmir in the early 1990s with an anti-obscenity campaign.

ANI