Husn Camp

A Husn Camp was a detention facility operated by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, India, in the late 1990s and early 2000s. These camps were established during a period of heightened militancy in the region. The stated purpose was to provide rehabilitation and vocational training to surrendered militants and other youth considered vulnerable to joining militant groups. The term "Husn Camp" is a euphemism; "husn" translates to beauty or virtue in Urdu and Hindi.

While officially presented as rehabilitation centers, Husn Camps were controversial. Human rights organizations and some former detainees alleged that the conditions in these camps were poor and that they were subjected to physical and psychological abuse. They also claimed that the camps were used for interrogation and intelligence gathering.

The government of Jammu and Kashmir maintained that the camps were essential for reintegrating former militants into society and preventing further radicalization. They denied allegations of abuse and torture, asserting that the focus was on providing education, vocational training, and counseling.

The operations of Husn Camps were gradually phased out, and most facilities were closed down by the mid-2000s. The legacy of these camps remains a sensitive issue, with ongoing debates about their effectiveness and the treatment of detainees. While the camps are no longer operational, they continue to be discussed in the context of human rights and conflict resolution in the region.