341 custodial deaths in J-K since 1990

The Jammu and Kashmir government today said there were 341 custodial deaths so far in the state since 1990.

In a written reply to a question of NC member Javed Ahmed Rana in the legislative council,Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said 341 people died in police custody in the state since 1990. However,there was no report of any custodial death from Rajouri and Poonch districts.

He said 113 people — 99 from Poonch and 14 from Rajouri — are reported missing.

In reply to another written query,Abdullah said the government has engaged 22,408 Special Police Officers and 1,375 ex-servicemen with police for maintaining law and order situation in the state.

While,8,471 SPOs and ESMs are deployed in Kashmir valley,15,366 have been posted in Jammu,he said.