19 May 2004	Wednesday	28 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

WASHINGTON, May 18: Arbitrary arrests and disappearances continue to be a serious problem in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, says the latest US human rights report.

The annual US State Department report for 2003-04 says that arbitrary arrests and disappearances also occur in India's northeastern states where armed local groups are fighting against New Delhi's rule.

Other serious human rights problems confronting India include extra-judicial killings, custodial deaths throughout the country and heavy-handed and occasional excessive use of force by security forces.

The report also mentions incidents of torture and rape by police and other government agencies, poor prison conditions and detention throughout the country of those arrested under security-related laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Prolonged detention of under-trial prisoners and witness intimidation is also common, particularly in Gujarat, the report says. Societal violence and discrimination against women, trafficking of women and children for forced prostitution and labour, female feticide and female infanticide remain a problem.

Widespread exploitation of workers, including indentured and bonded servants and child labourers continue, as do religiously motivated violence against Christians and Muslims, the report observes.