On 30 March 1990, the Special Rapporteur sent a cable to the Government of India regarding the information received that in the State of Jammu and Kashmir more than 50 persons had been killed by security forces during demonstrations in various towns between 21 and 30 January 1990, and on 1 March 1990 at least 29 persons had been killed during demonstrations in Tenjura and Zakura in and near Srinagar. It was alleged that security forces had opened fire indiscriminately and without warning at the demonstrators including women and children.

On 6 July 1990, a letter was sent to the Government of India transmitting allegations that over the past year many incidents of arbitrary and indiscriminate shooting by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) or the army during demonstrations in Jammu and Kashmir State resulted in the death of a large number of unarmed civilians. The Special Rapporteur received a list of 48 persons allegedly killed in Srinagar and other towns by security forces up to 1 January 1990. According to some sources, the number of victims had reached several hundred by May 1990. These incidents allegedly occurred in the context of a political campaign by a number of local groups for independence or separation from India. Since January 1990, increasingly violent activities by several militant groups reportedly also resulted in killings of civilians, particularly persons considered by the militants to be "traitors". 

On 23 July 1990, a reply was received from the Government of India to the Special Rapporteur's cable of 30 March 1990 transmitting information on the alleged killing of more than 50 persons by security forces during demonstrations in Jammu and Kashmir. It was stated that while some deaths had occurred in certain towns of Jammu and Kashmir when security forces opened fire against demonstrators, the action taken by security forces was a last resort in self-defence and to protect public property against heavy stone-pelting and even firing and bomb attacks. The actions taken were completely in accordance with article 3 of the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials since force was used only when it was strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty.