THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF FORCED DISAPPEARIENCES ON KASHMIRI FAMILIES

 THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF FORCED DISAPPEARANCES ON KASHMIRI FAMILIES, (THEIR EXPERIENCES, COPING MECHANISM)

ABSTRACT:

The objective of this research article is to examine the psychological impact of forced disappearances on Kashmiri families exposed to traumatic and stressful armed conflict events in Kashmir. The people of Kashmir have sacrificed their loved ones in their struggle for freedom over the past 76 years. This paper examines how these people cope with such traumas. This study identified the methods adopted to maintain their social lives.

INTRODUCTION:

The dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir was sparked by a fateful decision in 1947 and has resulted in decades of violence, including two wars. Enforced disappearances of innocent civilians by the Indian forces have been one of the dreadful aspects of the Kashmir dispute. According to the UN, “having been removed from the protective precinct of the law and “disappeared” from society, victims of enforced disappearance are in fact deprived of all their rights and are at the mercy of their captors”.


Faiqa

India has subjected 8,000–10,000 Kashmiris to enforced disappearances in Indian-occupied Kashmir. India has been using forced disappearances as a tool to suppress Kashmiris and their resistance against India. The state not only denies the phenomena of enforced disappearances, but it has also legislated certain laws, like AFSPA, and provided full impunity to the perpetrators, thus protecting them, thereby creating hurdles in acquiring justice.  In contrast to mass incarceration or arbitrary detentions, forced disappearance is defined as an individual’s abduction from his or her home, workplace, or other location to an undisclosed facility by state or state-affiliated personnel. 


The lingering conflict not only exposes people to traumatic violent events but also has a negative impact on the social fabric of society. Survivors of conflict-related violence very often experience stressors that affect their daily lives and livelihoods. Since violence has become a constant feature of life in Kashmir, the incidents of death and destruction including displacement, shootings, sieges, torture, rape, forced labour, arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, humiliation and harassment and loss of innocent lives on a daily basis wreak havoc on physical and mental health of the Kashmiri people.

Purpose:              

The main objective of this research paper is to thoroughly investigate and elucidate the psychological impact of forced disappearances on Kashmiri families, elucidate their experiences, and explore the mechanisms of these crimes. Through a qualitative exploration of the stories of struggle and resilience of Kashmiri families, this study seeks to raise awareness of the devastating psychological toll of enforced disappearances, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions and support structures to ensure their mental health. 

Scope:

This study examined the emotional reactions, trauma, grief, and stress experienced by families, as well as the challenges they face in seeking justice. In addition, this article explores ways in which these families rely on social support networks, cultural practices, and religious beliefs to work through their grieving experiences and promote resilience.


PSYCHOLOICAL IMPACT OF FORCED-DIAPPEAREANCES:

Psychological stress is mainly expressed through symptoms, such as nervousness, fatigue, fear, and headache. More than one-third of the respondents were classified as suffering from psychological distress. In this study, we have found that women are significantly more stressed than men. This is in consistent with other studies showing that women suffer from anxiety disorders more than men do after experiencing violence. A feeling of security has been found in other studies to be an important prerequisite for being able to cope with negative traumatic experiences; this was also found in this study. For men, the biggest risk factors for developing psychological distress are "violations of modesty," displacement, and disability. These experiences can be most distressing, as they interfere with cultural values ​​and the role of men in Kashmiri society. 


SELF-REPORTING QUESTIONNAIRE:

The survey was conducted in mid-2005 in the Indian part of Kashmir (Kupwara and Badgam, totaling 101 villages with a combined population of 145,000 people). This data was collected through a secondary source.

Multivariate analysis of mental health and violence


TRAUMA AND GRIEF EXPERIENCED BY KASHMIRI FAMILIES:

The trauma experienced by the Kashmiri family because of forced disappearance is profound and multifaceted. Even before the events of August 2019, people in the Kashmir Valley had already shown symptoms of severe mental breakdown. A combination of exposure to traumatic experiences, limitations in economic development, and disruption of traditional social support mechanisms puts people at a greater risk of psychological stress. According to the 2015 MSF Kashmir Mental Health Survey, 50% of women (versus 37% of men) may experience depression, 36% of women (compared to 21% of men) may have an anxiety disorder, and 22% of women (compared to 18% of men) have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The sudden and unexplained disappearance of family members causes extreme grief and emotional turmoil. Families grapple with feelings of sadness, despair, anger, and helplessness, often resulting in long-term mourning. "Over the past 30 years, women's mental health has worsened, but it has deteriorated even further after last year's unrest," said a Kashmiri women, but decades of pain make them more sensitive and reduced emotional tolerance. 

Emotional distress:

Family members of missing persons suffer from complex grief symptoms, such as intrusive images or severe emotional attacks, or denial of the impact of loss, depression, anxiety, guilt, pessimism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissatisfaction with life, lack of emotional control, and unhealthy coping strategies. As a result, they often find it difficult to cope with necessary activities at work and home. Furthermore, the psychological effects of disappearances and political assassinations on surviving family members particularly on children have been so severe that they remain symptomatic for many years. They mainly suffer from trauma, melancholy, anxiety, and mundane feelings. It has also been observed that the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder is twice as high in families with a missing person as in families without a loved one missing in the past ten years.


At the same time, the atmosphere of fear and isolation of the families of the missing is a factor in the persistence of stress-related disorders years after a traumatic event. At the same time, in a society dominated by organized violence, people-to-people have created serious distrust. Neighbours, classmates, and other members of the community sometimes avoid missing families, which adds fuel to the fire. Some wives of missing persons face extreme discrimination in their homes, resulting in them being rejected by their in-laws, leaving voluntarily, or continuing to live there under deplorable conditions. Missing parents impoverished the family. A small number of households have difficulty feeding their families, and a small number of households without economically active members must beg for food. Families articulate their economic needs regarding what they cannot afford, and many of them prioritize food, education, and healthcare. These difficulties have a profound negative impact on the mental health of the family members. 

EXPERIENCES OF KASHMIRI FAMILIES:

Over the past several decades Kashmiris have enormously suffered due to the Indian governments repressive policies. Since 1989, thousands of Kashmiris, mostly young boys between the ages of 16 to 25, have gone missing or being forcibly disappeared by the Indian army and its secret agents. There is a grassroots movement against enforced disappearances in Kashmir called the Association of Relatives of the Missing Persons (APDP). Led Parveena Ahangar, the association provides medical, educational, social, psychological and legal support and advice to the victim families and gathers documentation on the disappearances. Ahangar known as iron woman of Kashmir is herself a victim whose son was subjected to forced disappearance by the Indian forces. She ran from pillar to post and spared no effort to discover whereabouts of her son but in no vain. Her struggle as a woman in a conservative society and the way she negotiates domestic and public spaces in her quest for justice deserve praise. She is now a household name worldwide, as her voice resonates globally against forced disappearances. In addition, she and other APDP activists gather in Srinagar on the 10th of every month in memory of their missing loved ones as a psychological consolation. Sadly, such gatherings are seen as acts of rebellion in Kashmir where space for free expression is limited, where families are denied of final rites and burial in their ancestral graveyards, where funerals are targeted and mourners sprayed with bullets. 

Kashmiri families and their experiences and struggles:

‘A storm has hit my life': The Kashmiri families torn apart by mass arrests: There was only one knock at the door before police officers entered Tanveer Sheikh’s home. Armed men climbed through the windows and began searching from room to room, asking Tanveer.

“We have young girls at home and they were woken from sleep,” said Maryam, Tanveer’s mother. “I told the policemen, how could they barge in like this?”

Tanveer, who is 16 or 17 years old, according to the family, was not at home in Srinagar, in Indian-administered Kashmir (HYPERLINK "https://www.theguardian.com/world/kashmir), at the time, so officers took his uncle Naseer instead. The police did not explain why they wanted to detain Tanveer.

“They said: ‘You hand over Tanveer and we will let Naseer go,” ’ said Maryam.

Naseer’s son keeps asking for his father, who has been there for 11 days. “He is two years old,” Maryam said. “What will we tell him? He will not even understand what has happened.”

Naseer is among thousands of people reportedly detained by the police as part of a major crackdown launched three weeks after the Indian government revoked the region’s special status.

Coping Mechanisms and Resilience:

Kashmiris are showing resilience after losing loved ones by drawing together, supporting each other and finding comfort in their shared cultural experiences and traditions. They also find strength in faith and use creative means, such as art and music, to deal with grief. People demonstrate resilience by forming support networks called Mohalla committees to help families cope with losses. The committee meets to provide emotional support, financial assistance, and help organize the funeral. Many Kashmiris look to art, poetry, and music as ways to express pain and seek healing. For example, they write heartfelt poems or sing emotional songs that convey their feelings and help them accept their loss.


Kashmiri also derive strength from their religious beliefs and practices. They find solace in prayer and seek solace in mosques, temples, and shrines. Faith helps them to find meaning and cope with their loss, giving them a sense of hope and faith in the afterlife. Religious ceremonies and gatherings create spaces for collective mourning and support individuals in leaning on their communities and finding spiritual guidance during difficult times.


They engage in occupations such as agriculture, crafts, tourism or government jobs to earn a living. They value the family unit and often live in joint families where several generations live together and contribute to the functioning of the household. When the main household is gone, the remaining family members face challenges, but the community often comes together to provide support during these difficult times. They can provide financial assistance, job opportunities, and emotional support. Alternatively, families can explore other sources of income, such as small businesses, small shops, or stalls. The resilient spirit of Kashmiris helps them to overcome difficulties and find a way to make a living amidst the pain 

Implications:

First, this study exposes alarming human rights violations associated with forced disappearance. By highlighting the traumatic experiences of Kashmiri families, this study highlights the need to raise international awareness of this practice. This revelation sheds light on the suffering of these families and draws attention to the devastating psychological toll of their heartbreaking events.


Second, the study held governments accountable for their actions by documenting the psychological distress experienced by affected families. This highlights the need for a transparent and thorough investigation of forced disappearance. Furthermore, this study highlights the urgency of ending the culture of impunity for those responsible for these disappearances, paving the way for accountability and justice. 


RECOMMENDATIONS:

The findings highlight the important role of global awareness and advocacy of justice. Governments and international organizations must recognize the plight of these families and make concerted efforts to ensure accountability for forced disappearances and the resulting psychological distress.

 

Addressing regulatory reforms, transparency, and ending sanctions waivers appear to be the necessary steps to achieve this goal. Additionally, research has highlighted the importance of comprehensive mental health support systems. Having accessible mental health resources can help affected families overcome trauma, build resilience, and regain their sense of normalcy. Additionally, initiatives that promote education and awareness can help to reduce stigma and promote understanding in society


Conclusion:

This study sheds light on the serious human rights abuses caused by forced disappearances, shedding light on the disastrous consequences of such actions on the mental health of Kashmiri families. By looking at emotional loss, trauma, and coping mechanisms, the study not only exposes the tragedy these families face, but also provides a platform for their stories to be heard. listen. Listening to, recognizing, and authenticating. This study also recognizes the inherent resilience of Kashmiri families. Their ability to unite, support one another, and draw strength from cultural traditions and religious beliefs underscores their determination to persevere in the face of adversity. It is essential for their experiences to act as catalysts for lasting change, advocating their rights, healing, and recovery.  


References:

https://conflictandhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1752-1505-2-11

https://polarjournal.org/2020/02/12/enforced-disappearances-and-everyday-life-in-kashmir/

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00110000211011750?journalCode=tcpa

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/27/kashmir-families-torn-apart-mass-arrests-continue-india

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6909643/

https://reliefweb.int/report/india/silent-mental-health-crisis-among-women-kashmir

Writer: Faiqa

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