The Informative Missive
Published by
PUBLIC COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTSApril 2003
Editorial:
Hunger strike campaign ---a subtle fight against tyranny
Taking a courageous step, the relatives of desaparecidos observed hunger strike for a week against the conspicuous indifference of government vis-à-vis enforced disappearances and the other forms of human rights violations in Kashmir. The notice of such strike had been served two months before, in case the government failed to affect the halt in such uncivilized and barbaric practices not permissible in war times. Earlier the victims had also started a signature campaign affixing the signatures of more than two thousand relatives including those of the human rights activists / groups like Amnesty International and other civil society groups.
In the present day world, hunger strike is one of the noble, non-violent but pro-active modes of registering one’s protest. But hitherto, the state government has not responded to just demands of the victims and is behaving like a proverbial ostrich. Hunger strikes, sit-ins, self-immolations, have been the extreme forms of protest against injustice and are normal feature among the oppressed segments of the Indian society. But the sorry state of affairs is that despite such strikes, protests for several years, the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy, and victims of anti-Sikh riots of 1984 are still longing for justice. Similarly efforts of Narmada Bachao Andolan, which is fighting for the rights of displaced villagers, have not achieved anything substantial so far.
The way state is responding towards the protests implies it is non-serious about addressing the issues of human and civil rights violations. Several times before his death noted human rights activist Inder Mohan observed hunger strike against the human rights violations in Kashmir. But government even didn’t bother to take notice of it, inspite of the fact that he had returned the civic award conferred to him in protest against excesses committed by the Indian government in Kashmir.
In such a scenario, limited options have been left for the victims of state violence. But the question arises, what should be done to address the issue of unabated human rights violation? Need of hour is to create awareness among the victims of state repression. They should be told about the international human rights law, UN Charter or Covenants signed by Indian government. This would provide them a sense of security and motivate them to lodge strong protests without accepting the injustice as fait accompli, which is actually the case with the victims because of their illiteracy and ignorance. People are to be educated about their rights through a long drawn process that may finally culminate into the popular anger against repression, which is the hallmark of any civilized and healthy society. The other option is to work for the rise of the external pressure in the era of globalization where peace is priority on global agenda.
However the pressure from the different governments is unlikely because the governments behave just like corporate houses and ‘interests’ rather than principles guide their relations with other governments. When this Editor asked a senior official of European Council at Brussels in European Parliament that why don’t member countries of EU stop trading with countries having a dubious track record of human rights in accordance with the clause of trade agreement? He curtly replied, “We will have to stop trading with all the countries as every country violates human rights. You want us to starve”.
In such cloudy sky of despair the global civil society can prove to be a silver lining though with some limitations. So, new modes of protests and resistance have to be evolved. But the epicenter of such modes of resistance would always be the consciousness and awareness of the fact, all that is necessary for evil to succeed and get away with it is the sense of desperation coupled with inaction on part of the victims of suppression and repression. Government is playing a deadly but subtle waiting game but the victims who will not let the past to be forgotten would emerge as winners in the end. For struggle of man against tyranny is the struggle of persistent memory against forgetting.
RELATIVES OF DISAPPEARED ON HUNGER STRIKE
The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) organized a hunger strike to protest against the indifferent attitude of government towards their plight. Incidentally the hunger strike coincided with the visit of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Several relatives of Desaparecidos gathered together and went on a weeklong strike starting from 17th April to 24th of April.
APDP, since its inception in 1994, has been campaigning against enforced or involuntary disappearances (EID) in Jammu and Kashmir State. The association time and again has highlighted the plight of EID, but the government remains indifferent to their problems. In the month of January 2003, the APDP had given two months notice to the state government for considering their demands, which government did not responded to.
Since 1989, when armed conflict started in Kashmir 8000 people have disappeared after their arrest by the ‘law enforcing agencies’. Majority of them are non-combatant Kashmiris. Even the government has admitted the phenomenon. The new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on February 25 informed state assembly that 3744 persons are missing in between 2000 to 2002. Out of them 1,553 got disappeared in 2000, 1586 went missing in 2001 and 605 in 2002. These figures are preliminary and one can understand the numbers of total disappearances keeping in view the figures furnished by the government.
The present government, which made human rights an election plank and promised people that human rights violation, would be stopped at any cost. Notwithstanding, the election rhetoric, the disappearances continue. The relatives are struggling on the individual as well as collective levels to know the fate of their beloved ones but the government is shying in acknowledging the plight of the relatives and to accept the demands of the APDP made from time to time.
Disappearance is a crime against humanity, according to the Rome Statue adopted on 17th of July 1998, and according to the International Criminal Court (ICC) the persons responsible for disappearances shall be personally responsible for violation of the international humanitarian law.
The relatives observed the hunger strike as a mean to highlight their plight and trauma. The objectives of the strike were
Stopping the enforced disappearance in Jammu and Kashmir.
Punishing the perpetrators responsible for enforced disappearance
Appointment of the commission to probe into all enforced disappearance in J&K state, since 1989 and identify the state and non-state actors responsible for it.
Providing justice to the relatives of the disappeared persons according to the international standard.
Relatives had decided to observe hunger strike on district wise basis.
On the first day of the hunger strike, considerable number of victims from Srinagar joined the hunger strike.
On 18th of April due to the strike call given by the Hurriyat Conference on the Prime Minister’s visit, the number was reduced, as the relatives from Budgam, due to suspension of transport, could not travel to Srinagar.
During the hunger strike, lawyers, trade unionist, students, academicians and people from different walks of life came to express solidarity. They sat with the relatives. Due to the P.M’s visit, the foreign media also visited the victims. The member organizations of AFAD in their respective countries also supported and showed their solidarity with the relatives of missing.
The human rights groups in Indonesia and Hong Kong picketed outside the Indian Embassies in their respective places.
Letters of solidarity were received from many human rights groups from across the globe, supporting the hunger strike campaign and lauded the effort as commendable.
All the major newspapers reported the strike. Indian Express, Hindu, Greater Kashmir and other leading newspaper carried the stories.
On 3rd day, heavy torrential rains lashed valley and the venue of strike was later shifted to the office of J&K Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS).
Government continued with its policy of callousness and during the 7-day strike, not a single official visited the families. In fact during a press conference, when a journalist pointed out to Prime Minister about the plight of relatives of disappeared person, he directed the question to Chief Minister, Mufti Syed who gave a shocking reply saying that only 60 persons were missing and the rest had crossed over the Line of Control (LOC) for arms training. This reply was in total contradiction to the statement of his law minister who has stated the number 3744.
At the last day of the strike, a press conference was organized. All the leading media personnel were present and C.M’s statement was the main issue. The relatives expressed their shock over Mufti’s statement and revealed their tales of woe to the media. They demanded that the whereabouts of their dear ones to be revealed and if they are no more declare them dead. APDP Patron, Parvez Imroz expressed shock and concern over the C.M’s statement. He said that Mufti government had raised people’s expectation and most of the victims, were hoping that justice would be done. But the recent statement of Mufti has been a disappointment. Mr. Imroz said, “the truth is that this regime is no different from erstwhile regime and has no will or determination to address the problems of the Desaparecidos and the window of opportunity, which the diplomatic circles in New Delhi had believed after the election is a illusion”. Executive member of APDP, Parveena Ahanger, fainted while relating her tragedy in front of media. She said that, “I was sitting near the television screen, when P.M had given a press conference, I was waiting that he will say something about the disappeared youth, but to my shock, he said that only 60 person, were missing and rest had crossed the line of actual control (LOC). How could he make such a careless statement?” Another victim Bilqees, whose father disappeared in January 2002, in an emotional outburst lamented the authorities for turning a blind eye to their plight and said, “we have been through lot of pain, but we want the perpetrators should be punished, so that the same would not happen to any body else.”
It was for the first time that APDP went for a hunger strike and although the international groups reacted positively to it, but the authorities remained untouched. The APDP will continue its campaign and is convinced that the civil society could pressurize the government to stop the heinous crime not permissible under any circumstances.
KILLING OF KASHMIRI YOUTH IN MUMBAI SPARKS LARGE SCALE PROTESTS
April 5: The killing of three Kashmiri youth at the hands of police in Mumbai (Bombay) on March 29 sparked off anti-India demonstrations in South Kashmir district of Pulwama. Though none of the three were involved in any kind of militancy related activity surprisingly Mumbai police labeled them as foreign militants of Lashker-e-Taiba outfit. Two among them were the residents of Shopian, Pulwama and one hailed from Kaani Mazaar, Srinagar.
One of the slain youth was identified as Mohammad Iqbal Wani, 25. His father Abdul Razaq said that he had last talked to his son on March 24, and thereafter, they lost contact with him. Iqbal, a computer engineer by profession, was running an institution, Royal Computer Center at Shopian in South Kashmir. The center was affiliated with the Royal Computer Engineering College based in New Delhi, having branches in Mumbai and Bangalore. Iqbal had gone to Delhi in connection with business and from there he went to Mumbai where he was killed. His family did not know about it, an unidentified person came to their home to enquire about Iqbal. He handed over a letter to the family and told them that Iqbal had been killed in Mumbai.
State police has also conducted an investigation into the matter. It is believed that they have sent a report to the Bombay police wherein they have verified that Iqbal Wani was not affiliated with any militant or political group. His two brothers had left to Mumbai so that the dead body of Iqbal be exhumed and brought back to his ancestral graveyard but they complained that Mumbai police did not co-operate with them. It is reported that two boys one from Gangran, Shopian and other from Srinagar who left Mumbai are missing.
However, Mumbai (Bombay) police chief had claimed that they eliminated three Lashker-e-Taiba militants and identified them as Abu Sultan and Abu Akram two Pakistani nationals and the third as Raju, a Kashmiri youth. The police also claimed that the slain militants were on a mission to assassinate Deputy Prime Minster L. K. Advani, Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray and VHP, leader Parveen Tagodia and were also involved in some disruptive activities in Mumbai.
People staged large-scale protests against the killing. The locals came to street and raised slogans against Indian government. Iqbal’s body was brought from Mumbai on April 8, and buried in his ancestral graveyard amidst a massive gathering of people who offered his Nimaz-e-Jinaza (prayer). The whole Shopian area observed shutdown. People resorted to massive protest demonstrations, raised slogans against the coalition government and accused them of apathy towards the harassment and killing of innocent Kashmiris in fake encounters outside the valley.
STUDENTS PROTEST AGAINST KILLING AND HARASSMENTS
April 10: Over a half a dozen students were injured when police fired scores of tear smoke shells to disperse the students, who were protesting against the harassments and killing of Kashmiris including students in different states. The students of Sri Pratap (SP) College took to the streets to protest against the recent killing of a Computer Engineer, Mohammad Iqbal Wani in an alleged fake encounter by Mumbai police. Police later labeled him as Lashkar militant.
The protesters accused state administration of indifference and insensitivity towards the “grave problem” and demanded justice for their colleagues studying in different parts of India. However, the protesters were not allowed to march. To disperse the protesters police resorted to cane-charge and fired several tear smoke shells, resulting in injuries to many students. This killings and arrest of Kashmiri students in India created panic in Kashmir as thousands of Kashmiri students are studying outside the state in various colleges and universities. The parents and student community is also perturbed by the recent drive of UP police which have started verifying the antecedents of over 250 Kashmiri students enrolled in various educational institutions outside the valley.
The students said that on the pretext of verification police harass them and even torture them.The reaction from the students and public in general compelled the state administration to take up the issue with the UP government. Situation was so grave that even the president of ruling People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti visited several places in India where the Kashmiri students are enrolled and urged state governments to protect the rights and dignity of Kashmiri students. She also had a detailed interaction with the Deputy Prime Minister of India, L.K. Advani on March 21.
Kashmiri students studying in various institutions often complain that they are extorted, harassed, by police. “We were asked to pay Rs. 2500 for every single Kashmiri Identity Card by a police protected gang in Mumbai. Through our own identity cards, we don’t even get a concession for air fares, because of which we opt to travel by bus ”, said a Kashmiri boy who had visited Maharastra. “We were harassed by police in hotels and while traveling on the Delhi-Jammu route, we are stopped at several places en route and demanded money, finally after bribing them they let us go” he added.
DELHI POLICE TATTOOS HINDU DEITIES ON KASHMIRI BOY’S ARMS
April 14: Showing least regard to their religion Delhi police tattooed figures of Hindu deities on the body of a Kashmiri teenager boy during torture. The tattoo marks are visible on his forearms and hands. Bashir Ahmed Dar was accidentally discovered in the hospital when the editor of “Informative Missive” happened to be at the hospital to meet another torture case admitted in the same hospital. The editor could not meet the person and instead found Dar there in pathetic condition and only after that Dar came into media light.
Bashir Ahmad Dar, 16, was arrested by Delhi police from old Railway station in December 2001, soon after the Indian Parliament was attacked and released him on 26th January 2003. During his detention period the police tortured him mercilessly.
While talking to the Informative Missive in Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS) Srinagar where he was admitted for treatment he said, "from last six years I had worked as a rickshaw-puller in Delhi to earn my livelihood. I was suffering from infectious disease before a week of my arrest and I preferred not to work till I get well. On that fateful day when I was walking on Railway station, suddenly some police officials came to me and started abusing me. When I asked the reason they beat me up. ‘They gave me this’, he lifts his shirtsleeve to show tattoos of Hindu deities. This is Bajrangbali, this is ‘Om’ with a snake, a tattooed on me, engraved by Delhi police. A tattooed man once walked into the jail and one of the policemen ordered me to get one on my arm done. I refused, but they tortured me. First, they kept me in Delhi Gate police station and later shifted me to Lajpat Nagar police station. The police repeatedly told me that I am a Kashmiri hence I am terrorist. I was given electric shocks, forced to keep my head in water tumbler and was always subjected to abuses".
Bashir has no desire to work outside, it is the poverty and the premature death of his mother, which compelled him to work outside, so that he could earn a livelihood and sustain himself. He has a painful past that haunts him. When he was, only three months old, his father gave him for adoption to Khaliq Chaiya. After some time Khaliq Chaiya sold him to Gani Lobur of Guzerba and he in turn sold him to Ghulam Mohammad Kaloo of Bemina Srinagar when he was only nine months old.
“At the age of 11 years I along with other labourers was forced by my foster parents to move to Delhi. First I was terrified, however, later I adjusted myself according to situation and started pulling rickshaw," Bashir said.
I never met or visited my home during my stay in Delhi. I sent money to Ghulam Mohammad on regular bases. I was homesick and yearned to come back to valley. But I fell ill and was soon after taken into custody", said Bashir.
Several times Bashir sent letters to his foster parents but received no response from them. When he was released on January 26, 2003, despite being physically weak and ill, he again started pulling rickshaw to eke out a meager sum required for his Journey to his home in Srinagar. A month back, when he reached home after six years the callous attitude of his foster parents dejected him. Frequent taunts by his parents, mellowed his sister’s heart who told him about his real parents.
It was only nine days back when he moved towards Chak Ganasthan in North Kashmir, to search for his father, sisters and other relatives. "I was not sure what would happen. But, when I reached there the whole village assembled and fortunately my father owned me", said Bashir.
Dar after seeing his condition brought him to SMHS hospital, where doctors admitted him. "Interrogation has severely affected his health. He may be suffering from heart ailment, we have carried various tests, reports of which are yet to come," said the doctor at the hospital while commenting on Bashir’s condition.
HIZBUL MUJAHIDEEN OPERATIONAL COMMANDER KILLED
April 2: Police claimed that they have killed the Chief Operational Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in a joint operation along with Border Security Forces at Pohru, Nowgam on the outskirts of Srinagar district.
However, on the basis of anonymity, a police official alleged that he was killed in fake encounter.
A well-known operational commander of Hizb, Ghulam Hassan Khan alias Saif-ul-Islam was allegedly killed by a joint posse of Border Security Forces and police in an encounter at Pohru village. On the tip of presence of Ghulam Hassan along with his associates in the area, the posse rushed towards the place. He was asked to surrender but he refused to do so, and opened fire, and in the retaliatory action of the forces, he got killed. Earlier the police control room authorities refused to hand over the corpse to the relatives fearing the ‘reaction’ from the people. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik and Hurriyat Conference, Chairman Abdul Gani Bhat failed to get the dead body from the control room. But after much persuasion the body was finally handed over to the relatives.
Interestingly, a police official, on the basis of anonymity said the reason for not handing over the body to the relatives was because they feared people would react strongly and it would lead to a massive demonstration. He further said that Ghulam Hassan was killed in a fake encounter. A joint party of 51 Bn BSF and police raided a house in Chanapora around 1300 hrs in which Saif and a bank employee Abdul Salam were arrested. At around 1700 hrs, Saif was eliminated in a ‘fake encounter’ at Pohru.
However, the SSP Srinagar told a foreign news service that the slain commander was arrested from Channapora locality and taken for recovery at a hideout to Pohru, Nowgam. He said an encounter took place between the militants and the security forces in which Saif was killed. But DIG BSF maintained that the encounter occurred at Sathu village and an amount of Rs 94 lakhs, one phone set, and AK rifle were recovered form the site of encounter. He was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard at Techloo in Shopian and his funeral was attended by thousands of people.
Ghulam Hassan, 57, hails from Techlu village in Pulwama district and joined the hands with militancy in 1989. The killing of another commander of the outfit happened only after 10 days of the assassination of sacked operational commander Majid Dar by unidentified gunmen. Police claimed to have succeeded in foiling the outfit’s design to sabotage the PM’s scheduled visit on April 18, to the valley after the killing of Ghulam Hassan.
WHAT IS IN A NAME?
Sometimes having a namesake can be problematic especially, if your namesake happens to be a leader of separatists group, Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) ‘Mohammed Yasin Malik’ and that is what happened to a man from Baramulla. Sharing name with leader of JKLF created a storm in his life and tore him apart.
Seven years back, Yasin, a diploma holder engineer decided to pay a short visit to his uncle in Pakistan and that was when misfortunes also decided to pay Yasin a long visit. In the year 1998, Yasin applied for a visa at the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi and in December 98, he got a letter informing him about his approval of visa. In January 99, Yasin embarked on a journey of a lifetime. A journey, which he will not like to forget in leisure for life took a different turn.
Everything looked fine or so it seemed, as Yasin boarded Samjhauta Express on 23rd January 99. Oblivious to what was to follow, he was enjoying every moment of the journey. At Atari, in Amritsar 100 kilometers, away from the International Border he was asked to get down and show his passport, and from here the journey of his misfortunes started. As he recalls the woeful tale, which is afresh in his memories he says, “I went down, showed my passport and then my baggage was checked and the same was repeated with each passenger. After that few men from Indian intelligence asked me my name and I answered, “Sir, my name is Mohammed Yasin Malik” Yasin Malik! They exclaimed and looked with astonishment, as if something had stuck them. And then bombarded me with a barrage of questions. I was kept aside, my passport was impounded and page number 9,10,28 and 23 were torn. I watched helplessly as there was little I could do. Then they demanded a sum of Rs 1100, which I flatly refused to pay because I did not have any Indian currency. Next they took me to Amritsar and put me behind the bars. The police there on their own selected a lawyer D.P Sharma to plead my case, which creates an impression in my mind that police and lawyers are hand in glove with each other. I was kept in custody and booked under 420, 468, and 471 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and alleged that I had a fake passport. After which they asked for Rupees ten thousand, they called my father and told him to come with the money.
My father took two months to arrange the money and after two months when he came with the money he was not allowed to meet me, but finally on 23rd of March, I was released after two months of captivity. I had to face the ordeal, just because I had a namesake. What was my fault? I am still wondering why I did not pay the sum of Rs. 1100, I could have saved myself from a lot of embarrassment and trouble.”
After his release Yasin made extensive efforts in fighting against injustice meted out to him. He went to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and he was told his case had been shifted to Tamil Nadu, which he cannot figure out why. He also pleaded his case at State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), but they did not entertain his case saying that this case did not fall in their jurisdiction. But Yasin continues to knock at every door of justice. His case was widely publicized in Indian and International media. But inspite of all the hype generated in his case, it has not yielded any results. His case is still languishing and his passport still impounded. He has to visit Amritsar after every three months otherwise the police will issue a warrant in his case.
Being unemployed has only compounded his problems, he has to ask the money for his trip to Amritsar from his father and brother and this is very embarrassing for him. They give the money, as they do not wish to incur social stigma attached in case he is arrested. After the incident he had to face a lot of problems and it has even spoiled his chances of marriage, every time a marriage proposal comes, they shy away when they come to know about his arrest considering the fact his case was widely publicized. Not only his personal life is suffering, but also his professional life is in doldrums, getting a job is distant possibility. Since he has an alleged criminal record nothing seems to work his way. But he tries to ease his pain by helping others; he is closely associated with Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) and tries to do whatever he can within his own limits.
Yasin feels dejection as he puts it, ”My problem is related to Kashmir dispute if there was no Kashmir issue, my problem would not have been there, but I am hopeful that if India and Pakistan resolve their differences, than my problem will be solved. I have written a letter to both President Musharraf and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and pleaded them to solve Kashmir dispute, as it would save thousands of people like me from lot of trouble.” He is hopeful that one day Kashmir issue will be solved and he would again visit Pakistan. Talking of determination and shrewdness, Yasin takes the cake and the baker too. All the troubles that he has faced has not deterred him from visiting the country of his dreams and this time hopefully, he will take the journey of an Anonymous for names can be so scary at times.
LABOURER KILLED IN CUSTODY
April 8: A labourer was allegedly tortured to death in custody by the pro-government militants working for Special Operations Group (SOG). The killing sparked massive demonstration at Sogam, Lolab in North Kashmir.
In the same area, government-sponsored gunmen (Ikhwanis) allegedly kidnapped a student of 9th standard, Safeer Ahmad Mir s/o Ghulam Nabi r/o Sogam, Lolab. Nazir Zrand and Mushtaq of Kurs, Lolab near Emporium gardens allegedly with the help of some troops kidnapped Safeer, when he was on his way to visit his Uncle’s residence
A labourer Ghani Khan s/o Shahbaz Khan was allegedly apprehended by the pro-government militants working with SOG on April 6, and in custody he was subjected to brutal torture due to which he died. The killing of Khan spread like wild fire and inhabitants of the area resorted to protest demonstration. People alleged that Khan was arrested couple of times before but this time they killed him.
Thousands of people in Sogam took to the streets to protest against the killing, raised slogans and called the killing as an inhuman act. They also alleged that the personnel of 19 Rashtriya Rifles let loose a rein of terror in the area.
HM COMMANDER KILLED IN 'CUSTODY'
April 12: A top Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) guerrilla outfit commander was allegedly killed in a fake encounter by a joint party of Border Security Forces and police, a week after his arrest from Kolkatta.
Mohammad Yousuf Hajam alias Qamar-ul-Zaman a well-known HM commander in South Kashmir was reportedly arrested on April 5, from Kolkatta and then brought to Kashmir and was killed by the joint posse of BSF and police in custody.
However, police claimed his elimination in an encounter with the security forces and described his killing as a major success of the forces. As per the police statement, he was the communication chief of Hizbul Mujahideen besides being the deputy divisional commander for South Kashmir. He had joined the militant ranks in the year 1990, before which he had worked as an ASI (wireless operator) in police department. Mohammad Yousuf hails from Chandian-Punjan village in Dooru tehsil. He went underground and took part in various operations against the security forces.
Large number of people visited his residence and bereaved his death.
THREE MEMBERS OF FAMILY KILLED BY UNIDENTIFIED GUNMEN
April 3: In Dolipora Vilgam of Handwara Districts in North Kashmir unidentified gunmen gunned down three members of a family including a minor.
A group of unidentified men armed with automatic weapons forced their entry into the house of Mohammad Yousuf Sheikh and opened fire indiscriminately on inmates. In the shoot out, Mohammad Yousuf, his wife and his two-year-old child were killed. Nothing has been established about the incident but it was confirmed that Mohammad Yousuf was the released militant. He was associated with Al Barq militant outfit before his arrest.
UNIDENTIFIED GUNMEN BUTCHER FOUR CIVILIANS
April 25: A group of unidentified gunmen killed four civilians in broad daylight in Sunderbani area of district Rajouri. A group of gunmen reportedly four in number forced their way into the shop of Rakesh Kumar s/o Daulat Ram at Rai Siot in Sunderbani and without any provocation, one of the gunmen suddenly opened indiscriminate fire inside the shop.
He emptied the whole cartridge of his gun due to which four persons died on spot. Thereafter, they fled from the spot and at about 1 km distance away they repeated the ghastly action. This time they opened fire on a truck ahead at Bhambla on Jammu Rajouri road, injuring three persons including truck driver and conductor. The injured were referred to the hospital where the condition of driver was stated to be critical.
Residents of Rai Soit protested against the police for not protecting them from such incidents. The family members of the victims kept the bodies in the middle of the road and demanded the visit of Chief Minister to see the barbaric killings.
DISAPPEARANCES
* April 18: Last week, Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) of 9th Bn posted at Zewan allegedly arrested a youth from Poloview, Lal Chowk, Srinagar, and since then nothing has been known about his whereabouts. A youth from Shangas, Kokernag, Mohammad Ishaq Sheikh s/o Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh while walking near Poloview vicinity was apprehended by the personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) and since then he is missing.
When his father learned about the arrest of his son, he approached the concerned police station for filing a report in this matter, but the report was not entertained. Ishfaq’s father who was an employee in one of the police departments approached the I.G. Police and a case was registered in police station Maisuma. The family members of the disappeared have expressed serious concern about his welfare.
* April 23: From last week, three-school going boys of Kadar Kulgam in South Kashmir reportedly went to school and since then their whereabouts are not known. The family members are daunting about their welfare.
Parents of three teenager boys expressing serious concern over the safety of their children left for school and since then the parents are waiting for their return. Relatives of the disappeared boys left no stone unturned in their search but all in vain. An FIR No. 1540/2003 has been lodged in this matter at police station Kulgam.
The identification of these boys were established as Mohammad Hussain Sheikh, 16, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, Gulzar Ahmad, 15, son of Mohammad Ramzan Kuchay and Tariq Ahmad, 12, son of Ghulam Ahmad Sheikh.
* April 8: Two months back a minor left his home and till date nothing has been established about his whereabouts. Reports revealed that one Shabir Ahmad Khan, 13, s/o Abdul Rashid Khan, r/o Chak Arsala, Bandipora in North Kashmir, left his home in the month of February and since then his whereabouts are not known. His parents made exhaustive efforts to search him, but all in vain. A report has been filed in the concerned police station.
* A student of Madras-ul-Asraful Aloom Hyderpora left the institute on 18th January and since then nothing has been known about his whereabouts. The identification of missing boy is confirmed as Tariq Ahmad, 13, son of Abdul Wahab resident of Gurez, Chorwan.
COP KILLED INSIDE THE SOG CAMP
April 10: In a Special Operations Group (SOG) camp in Pulwama district a cop was killed. The cause of death has not been confirmed. It was not established whether he died in a shoot out or he committed suicide. The deceased was identified as Gurmukh Singh of 9th Bn Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP). Police have registered a case in this matter.
28 HINDUS MIGRATE TO JAMMU
April 10: With 28 survivors of the Nadimarg carnage migrating to Jammu, the total number of migrants reaching the city in the past fortnight has touched 105.
"A fresh batch of 28 people from Nadimarg village, where 24 Kashmiri Pandits were killed a fortnight ago, have arrived here last night," said H L Chatta, Vice president of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) to the reporters in Jammu on Thursday. With their arrival, a total of 105 Pandits have migrated from different places of Kashmir valley to Jammu in the past fortnight, Chatta said. The migrants, meanwhile, have demanded that state and central government should permanently rehabilitate them at one place.
MOTHER DIES AND DAUGHTER INJURED IN A SHOOT OUT
April 8: A woman was killed and her daughter, received injuries at the hands of security forces after an encounter between the soldiers and militants took place in Surankote Rajouri. The inhabitants of the area protesting against the killing observed a complete shutdown. The identification of victims was established as Akthar Begum, w/o Mohammad Farooq, r/o Mora Bachi and her injured daughter as Jahain Akthar.
Contrary to the allegation of the people, the officials claimed that both of them received bullets in the cross fire between the soldiers and the militants.
WOMEN KILLED
April 13: A group of unidentified gunmen allegedly killed a woman and injured her husband in Mendhar area of Poonch. This incident sparked protest in the area.
Unidentified gunmen allegedly forced their entry inside the house of Mohammad Sharief at Patliyan Kablari in Mendhar area of Poonch district and opened fire indiscriminately on inmates. In the shoot out Seema Bi w/o Mohammad Sharief, got killed.
Inhabitants of the area in order to protest the killing took to the streets raising slogans against the killers who they alleged were security forces. The people demanded immediate and stern action against the culpable.
IED BLASTS
*TWO CIVILIAN AND ARMY MAN INJURED:
April 1: An Improvise Explosive Device (IED) allegedly set by the militants at Harinal area on Nachlana-Kheri road in tehsil Banihal of district Doda exploded, in which two civilians and army man received multiple injuries.
According to the reports, the militants allegedly set an IED underneath a septic tank in the Harinal area and later triggered it when some people were passing by. The IED was controlled by the remote control and exploded with a deafening sound. Two passersby and an army man received grievous injuries.
The injured in the blast were identified as Abdul Rashid s/o Abdul Jubhan r/o Kumbla, Trigam and Abdul Majid, s/o Ghulam Rasool Sheikh of Panjan Bass and the injured army man as Naik Vinod Kuman of 23 Rashtriya Rifles.
*SIX INJURED IN IED BLAST
April 5: Six persons including four soldiers received injuries in an Improvise Explosive Device (IED) at Kahleel road in Tral in South Kashmir.
According to the official reports four soldiers and two civilians received injuries few of them critically, when an IED was allegedly triggered by the Hizbul Mujahideen guerilla outfit on a Border Security Forces (BSF) vehicle passing from Khaleel road at Tral. In the blast, the BSF vehicle was damaged extensively.
* ARMY JAWAN KILLED IN MINE BLAST
April 17: An Army jawan was killed when he accidentally stepped on an anti-personnel mine near the SM Pura Border Out Post (BOP) along the International Boundary (IB) in YJR Ranbir Singh Pura sector of Jammu district.
Reports said, one of the soldier from the group of soldiers while engaging in de-mining operation, accidentally stepped on the anti-personnel mine which blew up killing him on the spot.
* TEENAGER DIES IN MINE BLAST
April 17: A teenager boy and a buffalo were killed in a landmine blast at Pul Pur in the border Tanda village of Sapwal Samba, Jammu the summer capital of the state. According to reports, a 15-year-old boy identified as Bagh Hussain of Rakh Barotian, Jammu received grievous injuries and the cattle he was grazing died on the spot when a landmine planted in the field went off. Immediately, after the blast the boy was rushed to the hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead.
* FIVE CIVILIANS KILLED AND 20 OTHERS INJURED:
April 22: Five civilians were killed and twenty persons including nine Border Security Forces (BSF) personnel received injuries some of them badly, in two separate Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosions at Tral and Lower Munda.
According to reports, at around 8:00 am, an IED explosion rocked the Gulshanpora area of Tral of Pulwama of south Kashmir killing five civilians and injuring eleven others. As people were busy in handing over the cattle to the shepherd an IED fitted in a wall went off with a deafening sound. The IED splits hit over a dozen people resulting death of four persons and injuries to twelve others.
After the blast panic gripped the entire village. People ran helter-skelter for the safety on hearing the blast. The victims were lying for a long time at the spot. Later the injured were moved to hospital where one of the injured succumbed to injuries. The deceased were identified as Bashir Ahmad, Mohammad Shaban, Mohammad Gujar, Mohammad Ashraf and Aftab Ahmad.
Senior police, civil and security force officers immediately rushed to the spot to take on spot view of the situation. The area was immediately sealed off and massive combing operation launched.
In another incident of IED reportedly triggered by the suspected militants at Lower Munda near Jawahar Tunnel on national highway damaged a military vehicle and caused injuries to nine BSF men traveling in it.
According to reports, the incident occurred when a Jammu bound security force convoy passed by Lower Munda. Suspected militants immediately detonated a powerful IED, which blew up one BSF vehicle. Nine BSF men traveling in the vehicle were injured some of them critically. They were immediately moved to hospital where the condition of some has been stated to be very critical.
ATTACK OF RADIO STATION SRINAGAR, CLAIMS 5 LIVES
April 26: A car bombing and ensuing gun battle at the office of state-run radio station claimed five lives including two soldiers. A newly heard militant organisation Al Madina, claimed responsibility of the attack.
According to the reports, one assailant was killed in the blast and the other two were shot and killed by security forces in the gun battle that followed. Three men from the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were wounded. Soldiers cordoned off the area and found explosives strapped to the bodies of two of the dead attackers.
An unidentified caller, claiming to be a spokesman for the Al-Madina militant group, told the Kashmir Press Service the assault was carried out by three Kashmiri fighters.
''We are not against a dialogue with India, but it should accept Kashmir as a disputed territory,'' the caller said. He claimed that five Indian soldiers were killed in the attack but refused to give other details.
SOG MAN MOLEST GIRLS
April 29: The repeated attempts of molesting girls by Special Operation Group (SOG) man forced the inhabitants of Baramulla in North Kashmir to take action against the culpable. Ajit Pal Singh of Singpora Kalan, working with SOG, Air Cargo, Srinagar Branch made several attempts of molesting girls.
“First he tried to molest the daughter of Abdul Gaffar Mir, her brother, Qayoom resisted the attempt. On resistance Ajit Pal brought his service revolver and opened fire at Qayoom but luckily he escaped the bullet”, an eyewitness said.
People were irked, when he repeated the same thing with another girl of the area, which forced them to taken action against him and they filed an FIR No. 354 under RPC 294 in the concerned police station. Despite repeated demands he didn’t turn up, people alleged.
Inquiry Ordered into beating of Kashmiri Migrant
April 18: Inspector General of Police, P.L. Gupta, has ordered an inquiry into the alleged beating of Surinder, a Kashmiri migrant by some cops at the Nagrota Police station on Tuesday. Deputy Superintendent Police D.S.P. (Hqrs.) Mubassir Latif has been appointed the inquiry officer. Incidentally Surinder hails from the constituency of agricultural minister Abdul Aziz Zargar whose son clashed with a sub-inspector at Nagrota police station on the issue of Surinder.
Surinder had alleged that he was mercilessly beaten by cops at the police station and had received injuries on his back and other parts of the body. Sources, however, said all that Surinder had alleged was not true. On Tuesday, he had beaten up a 65-year-old woman following a tiff with her. The lady had then approached police; a havaldar (cop) was deputed to bring Surinder to police station. Sources said when the havaldar had asked Surinder to come to Police Station; he had refused and had grappled with him. One more cop was then sent to bring Surinder to police station.
Sources said that Surinder had beaten a cop on duty and was liable for punishment, had elderly migrants not intervened.
After his release Surinder went to Government Medical College Hospital and got himself treated there.
TRAGIC FAMILIES
Poet’s quest for peace and a painter’s brush with death
Eighteen year old, Javed lived in a world of his own, poetry his food for thought and painting his passion. His poetry reflected his perspective of life, his verses enchanting feelings of anti war. His painting depicted the same theme and feeling. A peace loving person he shunned war in all its forms and never spared an opportunity to ostracize it. In one of his paintings a dragon is holding a mother feeding her child and instead of milk, blood is flowing from her breast and once when his father asked him about what the painting tried to convey, he replied that this is what is happening today in Kashmir. Blood is spattered everywhere and dragons are roaming around. An introvert by nature, his oratory skills were hidden but his observation power was tremendous, he observed everything around him and gave it a voice through his brush and pen. But his voice didn’t last long and one day he suddenly disappeared in thin proverbial air.
A poem written by Javed, professing feelings against wars
WAR
Oh! This detrimental war
Wars are fought for the distribution of power
Few soared politicians play this game
In order to attain ephemeral fame
Its miseries have got no end
It renders thousands invalid and millions dead
Some fight wars to safeguard their religion
Does any religion permit to cause endless destruction
Every thing is declared fair in love and war
After all it is a quest of few to attain power
Many wars have been fought
A few won and some lost
Without war can we realize the value of peace
During which people prosper and live at ease
No one can escape its atrocities
A war is coupled with Cruelties
Wars ruin nations of their past heritage
Wars drag us to stone age
The dark smoke, staining the pretty moon
We can hear painful echoes or feeble voices of moon
It is a Politicians game and priests charm.
Do they know how they themselves do the harm?
Six years back, Javed disappeared while going for his coaching classes. On 24th December 1997, Javed left his home to attend coaching classes at Magarmal Bagh, Srinagar, never to return back. At the time of his disappearance, he was 18 years old and had just taken his 12th class examination. In fact his results were declared after his disappearance, he had secured 80% marks in that examination.
What happened to a boy of his stature remains an unsolved mystery, which his parents have not been able to solve. His father searched for him in every nook and corner. The matter was further complicated as there was no clear concept about his disappearance. Some said the security forces picked him, but when his father contacted them, they denied the allegation. Renegades came to his house and said if you give us money we will hand him over to you but kept dilly-dallying and finally no clue was found. His father says, ”My son was a genius and lived in a world of his own, he had no concern with militancy or armed forces.” He feels that there might have been a deep-rooted conspiracy behind his son’s disappearance. He remembers an incident that he feels may be a reason behind his sudden disappearance. He recalls the incident, “At the time, when Javed was taking his 12th class examination at Amar Singh College, Srinagar, some students were cheating their papers and when the teacher objected, they took out a pistol. Disturbed and shocked by what was happening, Javed tried to stop them and told them that they are here to study and make their career. Annoyed by his attitude they told him, ‘we will make your career soon’. And I have no reason to disbelieve that this incident triggered off my son’s disappearance.”
But sources say that there was more to it than what meets the eye. They say having studied in a missionary school (Burn Hall), Srinagar he was deeply influenced by Christianity and wanted to embrace it. Since society and family would shun him if he did so, he eloped with some Christian missionaries never to return back.
Whatever the reason, the truth is that Javed disappeared and his disappearance caused utter grief to his parents. His father takes his son’s poems everywhere and keeps on reciting those verses again and again and raves about the talent of his son---A son whom he wants to know is alive or dead. Parents always are proud of their children’s achievement and to think of a father who can’t stop praising his son whose absence elude him.
In spite of his extensive efforts, he even contacted CM, but to no avail. His efforts have not reaped any dividends. A FIR was lodged and all the proceedings carried but nothing could be known about his son. Javed hated war but then wars are not fought for people, they are fought for lands, as reads one of the verses in his poem
“Every thing is declared fair in love and war
After all it is a quest of a few to attain power”
And who fell for this quest of power, Javed never knew.Women-Children Killed
April 2: In an encounter between militants and soldiers in Chiwdoora in Beerwah, Budgam in which two women were caught, one died and other sustained injuries. The deceased woman was identified as Aisha Begum and the injured as Tasleema.
April 3: A woman his minor child of 2 years and his husband were killed by unidentified gunmen inside their home at Dolipora Vilgam of Handwara district. The identification of deceased woman and his minor child were not known.
April 6: A woman SPO was allegedly killed by an unidentified gunmen after making his entry inside her residential house at Lassipora in Pulwama. The deceased woman was identified Shakeela Akthar daughter of Ghulam Hassan Mir. She was a widow of a militant.
April 7: Two minor boys were killed in an IED blast at Saylian Kumli forest area of Surankote while they were grazing their cattle. The deceased were identified as Mohammed Fazal, 15, son of Khadim and Mumtaz, 12, soon of Mohammad Rashid both resident of Saylian Kumli.
April 8: Two women were killed and a girl received injuries in two separate incidents in the state.
According to the people, security forces killed a woman and injured her daughter after an encounter took place at Surankote. But the official report claimed that both received injuries when they were trapped in an encounter. Later on the woman succumbed to her injuries in the hospital. The deceased woman was identified as Akthar wife of Mohammad Farooq.
Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen kidnapped a woman from her residence in village Zainhal 3 km away from Banihal and later killed her cold-bloodedly in nearby forest. The deceased woman has been identified as Manzoora Begum, 45, wife of Abdul Latief.April 13: A group of unidentified gunmen killed a woman and injured her husband in Mendhar area of Poonch district. The deceased woman was identified as Seema Bi wife of Mohammad Sharief r/o Patliyan in Mendhar area of Poonch.
April 15: A woman lost her life when she was hit allegedly by a Pakistani shell. The deceased was identified as Shakuntala Devi wife of Som Raj resident of Brevi near Line of Control (LOC).
April 19: A seven-year-old girl was killed when a Pakistani shell reportedly exploded outside her house in village Gawalta in Uri sector of Jammu. The deceased girl was identified as Nazmeen.
April 21: Unidentified gunmen killed wife of Ghulam Nabi inside her residential house at Pattan in south Kashmir of Baramulla. The deceased was identified as Zeeba.
April 24: A sixty-class boy was killed and another third class student received severe injuries in a blast inside their school at Rajdhani 2 km away from Thanamandi, Rajouri district. The blast went off when both the students tried to fiddle with it laid on the school ground. The deceased was identified as Ishfaq Ahmad, 12, son of Mohammad Ramzan resident of Behrote tehsil Thanamandi of Rajouri district.
April 25: Two women and a girl were killed in separate violent incidents. In an IED blast two women lost their lives allegedly triggered by the pro-government militants in the court of chief judicial magistrate at Pattan in south Kashmir. The deceased women were identified as Naseera wife of Manzoor Ahmad and Fatima daughter of Abdul Khaliq Bhat of Monghama Pattan.
In other incident a girl was killed and her mother injured in exchange of cross border shelling between Indian and Pakistan troops near Drass sector of Ladakh. The deceased was identified as Yasmin Shakoor, 18, of Drass sector.
KILLINGS IN THE MONTH OF APRIL
Date
Soldiers
Militants
Civilians
Others
April 1
1 SPO
6
-
1 Political activist & 1 army helper
April 2
1
4
1
-
April 3
-
6
3
-
April 4
1
-
1
-
April 5
-
4
-
-
April 6
1 SPO
10
1
-
April 7
-
9
3
-
April 8
-
4
4
-
April 9
-
5
-
1 Political activist
April 10
1
1
-
April 11
1
7
-
April 12
-
4
1
1 renegade
April 13
1 SPO
-
1
-
April 14
1
5
-
1 unknown body recovered
April 15
-
7
2
1 Political activist
April 16
-
2
-
1 Political activist
April 17
3
1
1
April 18
1
8
3
April 19
-
5
1
April 20
-
7
1
April 21
2
5
2
1 Army Informer
April 22
2
21
6
April 23
2
4
2
April 24
1
1
1
April 25
6 (1 Major)
2
4
April 26
7
3
-
April 27
-
6
-
-
April 28
1
8
1
-
April 29
6
15
-
-
April 30
-
5
-
1 Political activist
Total
39 (1 Officer)
165
39
9
Date
Extra Judicial Executions
Women
Children
Disappearances
April 2
1
1
-
-
April 3
-
1
1
-
April 6
-
1
-
-
April 7
-
-
2
-
April 8
1
2
-
-
April 12
1
-
-
-
April 15
-
1
-
-
April 18
-
-
-
1
April 19
-
-
1
-
April 23
-
-
-
1
April 24
-
-
1
-
April 25
-
2
1
-
Total
3
8
6
2
Chronology of events in AprilApril 1: Six militants, a Special Police Officer, a Congress activist and an alleged army informer were killed in various violence related incidents across the state.
April 2: Four militants including Chief Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen and a woman died in separate incidents of violence across the state.
April 3:Three members of a family, a Non Commission Officer (NCO), and six militants including a top militant commander were killed in various violence related incidents across the state.
April 4: A soldier and a mentally retarded person died in different incidents of violence in separate places of the state.
April 5: Four militants were killed in various violence related incidents across the state while six persons including four soldiers’ sustained injuries in an IED blast.
April 6: Ten militants including an operational commander of Harkat-ul-Majahideen outfit, a woman Special Police Officer and a civilian died in separate violence related incidents across the state.
April 7: Eight militants, a released militant, three civilians including two boys were killed in various violence related incidents across the state.
April 8: Four militants and four civilian including two women died in separate violence related incidents across the state.
April 9: Five militants and a People’s Democratic Party’s activist died in separate violence related incidents across the state.
April 10: One militant died in an encounter at Chingus area of Jammu division.* : A cop died in a shoot out in a Special Operation Group camp in Pulwama district.
It has not been establish whether he committed suicide or died in accidental fire.April 11: Seven militants and a home guard died in various violence related incidents across the state.
April 12: Four militants, a renegade and a civilian were killed while fifty-four persons received injuries some of them critically in different incidents of violence in the state.
April 13: A Special Police Officer and a civilian were killed while a civilian injured in separate violence related incidents across the state.
April 14: Five militants and a soldier were killed while nine persons including eight civilians injured in various violence related incidents across the state.* : A dead body of a youth from Bona Methi Gund, Larnoo in Kokernag area of Anantnag district was recovered by the police. The identification of dead was not established.
April 15: Seven militants, a Congress activist and two civilians including a woman died in various bloodshed related incidents across the state.
April 16: Two militants and an army informer were killed in separate violence related incidents across the state.
April 17: Three soldiers, militant and a civilian were killed in separate violence related incidents across the state.
April 18: Eight militants, cop and three civilians were killed while a half a dozen received injuries in various incidents of violent incidents across the state.
April 19: Five militants and a civilian were killed in separate violence related incidents across the state.
April 20: Seven militants and a civilian died in various violence related incidents across the state.
April 21: Five militant, a soldier, security forces informer, a PSO of a National Conference leader and two civilians were killed at different places of the state in violence related incidents.
April 22: Twenty-one militants, six civilians and two soldiers were killed in separate violence related incidents across the state.
April 23: Four militants, two soldiers and two civilians were killed in various violence related incidents across the state.
April 24: Militant, a cop and a schoolboy were killed in violence related incidents across the state.
April 25: Two militants, six soldiers including an army Major, PDP block President and four civilians including two women were killed while over four dozen persons received injuries in various bloodshed related incidents across the state.
April 26: Three militants and seven soldiers were killed in violent incidents across the state.
April 27: Six militants were killed in separate violence related incidents across the state.
April 28: Eight militants, a soldier and a civilian died in separate violence related incidents across the state.
April 29: Fifteen militants and six soldiers were killed in different violence related incidents across the state.
April 30: Five militants and a ruling People’s Democratic Party activist were killed in separate incidents of violence across the state.
The Informative Missive
Published by
PUBLIC COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
The Bund Amira Kadal, Jammu and KashmirPhone: - 91-194-2482820
Fax: 91-194-2478464
E-Mail: p_imroz@yahoo.co.in
Web: www.jkccs.org
website designed
by Shoeab Afra
e-mail:
shoeab_afra@yahoo.co.in