The Informative Missive
Published by
 PUBLIC COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
 

April 2004

In This Issue

• EDITORIAL:  BAR VISITS JAILS

• KASHMIRI SENTENCED LIFE IMPRISONMENT

• 2 KILLED AND SEVERAL INJURED DURING FIRST PHASE POLL VIOLENCE

• AASIA’S DEATH MOURNED IN DODA

• JKCCS SEMINAR IN DODA, CONCERNED FOR CHENAB VALLEY

• DISCRIMINATION DODA

• STATES REPORT TO NHRC ON DISAPPEARENCES

• COURT ORDERS TO RELEASE 2 PERSONS FROM ‘ILLEGAL DETENTION’

• RELEASED PRISONERS REARRESTED

• ARMY INCREASES NUMBER OF RR BATTALIONS IN J&K

• EIGHTEEN MORE CRPF COMPANIES FOR J&K

• ARMY TO RAISE NUMBER OF COUNTER-INSURGENCY FORCES

• POLITICAL SCENARIO & PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

• CHRONOLOGY OF POLL RELATED INCIDENTS IN APRIL 2004

• CONGRESS DEMANDS JUDICIAL INQUIRY INTO URI BLAST

• MORE FORCES DEPLOYED IN 2ND PHASE

• DYSP MANHANDLES POLLING STAFF AT POONCH

• POLLING DUTY OR HOSTAGE

• SEVEN INJURED IN BARAMULLA EXPLOSION

• HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS TRICKLE DOWN, TROOPS GET WARNING

• NEWS IN BRIEF

• DISAPPEARANCES

• WOMEN – CHILDREN KILLED

• KILLINGS IN THE MONTH OF APRIL

• APRIL CHRONOLOGY OF INCIDENTS

 

EDITORIAL            REAL MARTYR

    Since the conflict started people die every day. Death of the people here has become mere numbers. People have got immune to the deaths in Kashmir. Some of the deaths are so shocking that take longer time to overcome the grief and loss particularly the death of the person who dies for a cause or a mission. Aasia’s death on 20th of this month was a major tragedy. A tragedy for her family members who have brought her up and who have to bear this trauma for decades or perhaps lifelong - a tragedy for the victims of disappeared families whose campaign she was supporting and for whom she had started a Self Help Group through her own sources – a tragedy for the entire Kashmiri nation. She had a dream that the impoverish victims of state terrorism of the society should be helped in promoting self-sustainable schemes, instead of living on charity. She had tirelessly worked to make it success despite of lack of interest from most of the victims. She was initially disgusted over the lackadaisical response of the victims but later she realized that they had to be educated first about its necessity. She wanted to introduce a work culture amongst the women victims. Aasia’s death meant terrible blow to the civil society movement particularly for the elitist women for whom she wanted to become an inspiration, otherwise who are obsessed with normal career building in the government jobs.

    Aasia was confident, disciplined and a self-directed girl. Initially she had joined the CCS as a volunteer but gradually moved by the plight and helplessness of the daily visiting widows and half widow, she starting getting committed to their cause. The cause to mitigate their sufferings and to fight for their justice.
During her one-year stay in the CCS office she visited different spots to record the statements of the rape victims. She participated in many protests and meetings of the APDP and with the passage of time she got more engrossed with the commitment with truth and justice. She had not forgotten the discrimination meted out to her as a Kashmiri Muslim girl at the leading Indian daily in Delhi. She had started the career there which she had to leave. Often, she had confided in the office that she hates to have a stereotype government job career and intends to fight for the rights of the women of the valley. Aasia started the first women magazine “Voices Unheard” which was the quarterly published in the valley. She alone used to prepare it and sometimes used the pseudo names for the articles when her colleagues failed to keep their promises. Aasia was satisfied with the mission and with the passage of time she was feeling more enthusiastic about the programmes particularly the women related issues in the office. At present she was working for women related issues in the comprehensive report which would be published soon.

    Apparently, she was calm but had frozen anger over the plight of the victims which she demonstrated during her visit to Amsterdam last year; she prevailed upon her counterparts from different conflict areas who were also participating in the conference. In Europe with her strong presentation she tried to dispel the general misperceptions about Kashmiri women, with forceful arguments to the surprise of even her colleagues.

    We mourn the loss of Aasia not only for the reason as an individual, for the reasons that her death at the prime age is the death of a dream. Her death has resulted into a terrible loss for CCS, for the women’s movement and particularly for the victims of oppression. The best way to pay tribute to Aasia is carry her mission with the same zeal and enthusiasm to which she was committed and to give her a rightful place in the history. We as a nation are ungrateful to people who have died for a cause or a mission. We have a history of ignoring such martyrs and heroes, but we shall not allow Aasia’s death to fade away from the people’s consciousness. She has to be given the rightful place in the history as she is the first woman in the known history of the Kashmir who died in action for upholding the truth. The people who die in quest of truth and justice for others are the real martyrs.


Bar visits jails

    A three day brief visit of Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association commenced from 15th to 17th April 2004, to ascertain the conditions and the treatment meted out to the detainees lodged in various jails and sub jails of the J&K state. In the public interest, the Hon’ble J&K High Court granted the permission bearing WP No. 166 of 2004 to visit various jails within the state only. Bar team comprised of 8 advocates.

    During the visit, the team apart from observing the conditions of the detainees interviewed the number of prisoners and detainees booked under several acts. With the completion of the three day visit, the Bar Association presented its 30 page report.

    The plight of the detenues held in various jails of J&K state and outside has been always a concern to the High Court Bar Association. From time to time various petitions were filed in the Honble High Court bringing in the notice of the court the actual State of affairs existing in these detention centres. The latest in the series is PIL, WP No; 166/2004 in which a division bench of the Honble High Court was pleased to grant permission to meet the detenues lodged in various jails of J&K State in accordance with the provisions of Law and rules on the subject.

    As per the definition given in Chapter XXIX of the “Manual for the superintendence and management of jails” a “ detenue” means a person ordered to be detained and committed to a place of detention by any authority acting in exercise of the powers conferred by J&K Public Safety Act, 1978. The position of the political detenue held under preventive laws; and an under trail prisoner is different from that of a convict who has been sentenced to imprisonment after a full fledged trail. The bundle of rights and privileges has been defined by the Supreme Court of India and is also a subject matter of various International Charters and covenants. Besides, the UN Sub commission on Human rights has been laying emphasis of provision of basic facilities to such prisoners of consciences.

    The nine member team visited Sub jail Hiranagar, District jail Kathua, Central jail Kotebalwal Jammu, Sub-jail Jammu, District jail Udhampur, central jail Srinagar and District Jail Baramulla. With regards to the number of detenues, the following statistics were made available to the team members.
 

Name of Jails	Under trails.	Committed to RI	Committed to SI	Political detenues	Civil
	M                F	M             F	M             F	Foreigners                Natives	M           F
Distt jail Hiranagar	68              04	03             00	02           00	05 Pak                        57 01 Afg 22 Bangladeshis	00         00
Sub jail Hiranagar	Not Known (NK)	NK	NK	02 Pak                         03 01 Afg
Central jail KoteBalwal	23              00	34            00	82             02	(30 approx)                   241	250 (app)
District jail Jammu				75
District jail Udhampur				03                                 74
Central jail Srinagar	117			02 Pak                           35 01 Kazak
Total				84 foreigners       485 natives

 
    For the study of various cases of the inmates lodged in various jails, these detenues continue their detention under PSA for two years.

1. Detenues kept under detention without any trail for the periods ranging from 2 to 11 years. The detention is ordered mostly ordered mostly under prevention detention laws i.e. J&K Public Safety Act 1978.

2. Those detenues who were involved in some criminal cases, but trail court has discharged / exonerated them, thereafter, the state has chosen to continue their detention for several consecutive terms of two years.

3.  Detenues who are residents of "Azad Kashmir" and have crossed some point of LOC. The cases under ingress and Egress Act have been concluded against them and orders of their push back have been ordered by courts long back. State has not implemented these orders but kept them under continued incarceration invoking provisions of Infamous PSA.

4. Detenues, who have been shown involved in criminal cases, but their trail has -either never started or the pace of the trial is exceptionally slow, thereby causing them great hardship and prejudice. In many cases, they are not provided police escort to attend the trial courts and there is no legal help or asstst3nce available to them.

5. Some Foreigners including 22 Bangaldeshies, Afganies, Pakistanies have been ordered to be repatriated by the competent courts, but these order are not being implemented for yeas together. They are also languishing for long spells of detention under PSA. They request for speedy decision on their cases and intervention of their High Commissions and Embassies.

6. Detunes, who have been charged with various offences, but have been acquitted I exonerated by courts, thereafter in order to justify there prolonged detention have been shown to be involved in jail break cases for which no trial is ever conducted. They are also continued in detention under PSA.

7. There are mentally sick, deranged detenues, who have lost their memory, power of recognition and articulate talking failing due to torture and sub human treatment meted out to them during interrogation and barbarous treatment of jail administration. It appears that after long spells of torture the inmates are put on sedative drugs and tranquillizers etc. Violations of provisions contained in jail manual and laws on the subject are manifest from the existing condition of inmates.

8. Detenues who have developed serious deformities in various organs and requires specialized medical and psychiatric care and denied the same. The inmates are in a state of continued shock and are no ready to talk bout their conditions fro the fear of further oppression.

9. There are juvenile detenues, who were initially shown to be involved in criminal cases, but the trail courts have already acquitted them, yet they are kept under preventive detention. Instead of keeping them in a separate juvenile, barks they are lodged jointly with other adult detenues in violation of the provisions and procedures prescribed in Jail manual.

10. The conditions of some detenues are pathetic and some detenues have attempted suicide because of the harsh and inhuman treatment meted out to them by the jail authorities. In Kathua jail, one defame Mohd Ayub complaining pain in the chest / heart requested fro medical help, but did not get any. He attempted suicide in his barrack by sprinkling on his body when he did not get medical treatment. No medical officer is posted in any district jail.

11. Detenues who are badly injured and require surgical treatment for their amputated parts of the body. But in spite recommendations of specialists they are not given the required treatments. The left hand of one Mehraj-ud-Din Sofi of Hazratbal Srinagar has been completely chopped off during interrogation. Orthopeadician Dr. Dhara Singh has recommended surgery to the rest of the arm. In spite of severe pain non relief is available to this shattered and broken Youngman.

12. There is evidence of brutal and inhuman torture inflicting during interrogation / detention whereby the detenues have not only lost their mental balance but have turned into virtual mental wrecks, who require continuous psychiatric consultation and treatment for their rehabilitation.

KASHMIRI SENTENCED LIFE IMPRISONMENT
FAMILY SUFFERS TERRIBLY

April 2nd: On July 2nd two persons were sentenced to life imprisonment in a Hawala case. Booked under POTA, the duo was punished on charges of receiving black money on behest of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militant outfit operating in Jammu and Kashmir. They were identified as Ayub - a Kashmiri salesman and driver Harbans - a native of Uttar Pradesh.

    According to the police version, central vigilance agencies were tipped off by secret sources that Mohammad Ayub a surrendered militant of JKLF was working as a finance collector for LeT Lashker-e-Toiba. On July 2nd, 2002 central vigilance received secret information, that Ayub would receive Hawala money at Cannaught place at central park. All the forces swung into action and as Ayub was going to receive Hawala money from Harbans Singh - the driver of Bachraj Bengani another accused, the police arrested the duo. They also claimed to recover a sum of rupees seven lakhs and one coded note of 10 rupees from them. Buchraj Bengani too, was later arrested. Ayub and Harbans booked under 3/20/22 section of POTA were sentenced to life imprisonment.

    Refuting the police claims as baseless, the family alleged that Ayub had been falsely implicated. While speaking to The Informative Missive, Ayub’s brother said, “As soon as we came to know about Ayub’s arrest, I rushed to Delhi to ascertain the reasons for his arrest. Reaching there, I straightaway went to hotel Tamana where he had put up and met the hotel manager. Inquired of the episode, the manager said, “Listening to the TV news of his arrest from Cannaught Place along with other person shook me”.

    The manager further revealed that, “Around 10:30 am some unknown persons came in the hotel and inquired about Ayub. Finding him out, the persons identifying themselves as CBI officials insisted the manager to hand over his room’s key, which he didn’t allow”. On Ayub’s return after half an hour, they started searching his room. They found air ticket, telephone dairy and Rs. 17,000 cash. However for unknown reasons, they put him in the hotel till next evening’.

    Refuting the police allegation, the family of Mohammad Ayub pleading his innocence said that he had been on an official trip to Delhi. They also lambasted the Indian media for highlighting such false and concocted news.

    “His arrest is a shock to the entire locality, especially to his family which is going through manifold problems and even finds it hard to meet both ends. Two years passed, the family was never in position to meet him. It was his brother, and few friends who visited Delhi, and Tihar Jail to meet him. They engaged a lawyer there to fight Ayub’s case”, said Ayub’s neighbour. Eight days after his arrest Ayub called up from the court and informed the family about his arrest, recalls his wife Nusrat. The account of the hotel manger and Ayub himself to the family itself speaks of Ayub’s innocence. Ayub alleged that the police had arrested him on 27-06-02 and seized his articles from the hotel on 28-06-02. This however falsifies the police version who claims to have arrested Ayub and others on 2nd July 2002. He further refuted police claim of giving any confessional statement before any person and alleged that the police under compulsion made them to sign some documents, which they were not acknowledged of. Ayub also alleged that he was given a copy of statement for making the confession.

    Later on, it came to fore that Harbans hailing from Utter Pradesh (UP) worked as a driver with one Buchraj Bungani. It was also learnt that Buchraj Bungani was notorious for indulging in Hawala scandals and had close alliance to the Delhi police. It was Buchraj Bungani, who had created the whole episode without sparing his own driver Harbans.

    While revealing the past record of Ayub and the problems the family is going through Nusrat said, “There is no doubt that Ayub was affiliated with the then militant outfit Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). Earlier in the year 1993, he was arrested by Border Security Forces (BSF) in a raid and was released after 9 months of imprisonment. During his detention period he was kept in PAPA 1 Sonawar, Srinagar and PAPA 2 Air Port interrogation centres. Realizing, the growing family responsibilities, he incised all his links with JKLF and started working as a salesman at Allied Motors situated at Lal Chowk, Srinagar. He used to visit Delhi in connection of his Shop’s work, as he did last time when he was arrested”.

    Ayub’s family comprises three daughters including a 12-year-old mentally anomalous and an old aged mother. The family is sustained by the support of the owner of Allied Motors who pays Rs. 2000 to the family per month. The amount is not sufficient to fulfil even the basic needs of the family.

    “Worsening psychological condition of Ayub’s daughter and financial crisis prevented the family to follow the case.

    Recently, a TV newsreader resembling Ayub created havoc for the family. Especially the anomalous daughter got out of control and started shouting, “papa, papa”. The whole scene came as a shock for the family, making them to weep. Till this day none of his family members except his brother have gone to meet him or let alone pursue the case to prove his innocence. Dejected and disappointed from every quarter, the family finally approached the public Commission on human Rights for legal help.

2 KILLED AND SEVERAL INJURED DURING FIRST PHASE POLL VIOLENCE

    Two persons were killed and eight injured in poll related violence in Baramulla constituency which went to polls in the first phase of elections to the 14th Lok sabha. In a press conference chief secretary SS Bloeria said “there were 2 poll related incidents in which two persons lost their lives”.

    The first incident took place at Sogam in Lolab area of Kupwara district. In an IED (Improvised explosive device) explosion a Sumo vehicle was blown up leading to death of two persons and injuring 4 persons. The whole incident took place around 12 Noon when a Sumo bearing 7 persons, members of Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society and one human right activist from Karnataka was on its way to election monitoring in the Baramulla and Kupwara districts. When the Sumo reached Sogam there was a major IED blast resulting in the on spot death of one person. All the injured were rushed to Public health centre Sogam nearly 45 minutes after the incident occurred. The lapse on part of the local authorities to aid further aggravated the condition of the injured. Lack of medical facilities and non-availability of doctors prompted them to shift the injured to SMHS hospital Srinagar. One of the injured succumbed just few minutes after reaching Srinagar hospital. The deceased were identified as Ms. Aasia Jeelani - Freelance journalist cum human rights activist who was presently working with CCS as Editor for its Kashmiri Women’s Initiative for Peace and Disarmament (KWIPD) quarterly magazine “Voices Unheard” and Ghulam Nabi Sheikh – Driver. The injured were identified as Khurram Parvez, Abdul Gani Tantray, Ghulam Hassan and Kumar Buradikatti. A large number of people from all walks of life joined Aasia’s funeral. Aasia’s mother was in Saudi and his Brother in Pune when the incident occurred. Aasia had been a very active member of the Coalition of Civil Society. Being an Editor of KWIPD’s quarterly magazine “Voices unheard” Aasia went to far flung and prominent areas of Kashmir valley documenting the facts on the conditions of women affected by turmoil. Unable to bear the agony and distress of the suffering Kashmiri women, Aasia initiated a self help group for self reliance of these women. At present nearly 4 girls 2 from Kupwara and two from Srinagar are being given training at National Institute of fashion technology in Srinagar. The aim is to open two self help centres at Srinagar and Kupwara, which would be a source of training and financial assistance for the women sabbled in a whirlpool of conflicting situation in Kashmir.

    In a four day conference from 6th - 10th Oct 2003, organised by Netherlands based NGO, Inter Church Peace Council (IKV) in Amsterdam, Aasia participated actively, attempting to regain back the tarnished image of Kashmiri women. She not only exuberated confidence but also strike a cord.

    The four-member delegation led by Parvez Imroz comprised of Zaheer-ud-Din, Bashir Ahmad, and Aasia Jeelani had interactions with many people in Netherlands. One of the interactions was with an organization, Lawyers Without Borders represented by Hans Gaasbeek. The meeting proved to be very fruitful as the lawyers felt it was necessary to visit Kashmir and assess the human rights situation there. A meeting with the European diplomats was also held and the Kashmir imbroglio was discussed. The delegation held interactive sessions with many high level authorities assessing them of the situation in Kashmir. Aasia’s contribution however remained tremendous. Apart from conferring the conditions of women in conflict, she tried to make a strong note of the potentialities and capabilities they possess.

    Following the tragic incident at Sogam, CCS called off its election monitoring programme. The CCS President Parvez Imroz said that the death of Aasia has compelled them to call off the monitoring programme. However later with the consistent motivation of the CCS members the monitoring was resumed.

    In another IED incident at Bandipora two police personnel and polling staff was injured. All the injured were shifted to hospital. However the identity of the injured could not be ascertained.

AASIA’S DEATH MOURNED IN DODA

    In a landmine blast at Sogam Baramulla Aasia Jeelani - a budding human right activist and driver Gh. Nabi Sheikh were killed, while many other Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (CCS) workers including Khurram Pervez were injured. The party had gone to monitor the 1st phase of parliamentary elections for Baramulla constituency.

    In this connection a condolence meeting of the Coalition of Civil Society was held under the chairmanship of Ghulam Hassan Tantray, the member of CCS Doda wing in the premises of Modern Academy high school Doda. In the meeting the participants expressed their deep shock and grief over the sad demise of Aasia Jeelani.

    The participants lauded Aasia’s valuable and commendable service to the society by raising her effective and impressive voice against the Human Rights violation in Kashmir especially against the excesses done to the women folk. The speakers Mushtaq Faridi, Naseer Khora, Zia Showket Moghal, P.S. Rana, Dr. M I Zargar, Ishtiaq Ahmed Dev, Farid Ahmed Faridi, Abdul Majeed Raaz, SMH Hashmi, Zahir Hashmi, Mudassir Haider Indrabi and some female members of CCS paid rich tributes to her by highlighting the various aspects of her life.

    It is worth mentioning here that in different mosques of Doda, Ghat and adjoining villages, Fateh Khawani was paid for the eternal peace of the deceased.

JKCCS SEMINAR IN DODA, CONCERNED FOR CHENAB VALLEY DISCRIMINATION DODA

    An impressive seminar on the top “Doda development Past and future” was organised. On the other day in town hall Doda under auspicious of Peoples Forum for Peace and Development. Many intellectuals of the area and members of different political and social organisations attended full day session. The seminar was organised by Naseer Khora on behalf of Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) and was chaired by senior advocate and social worker S M H Hashmi.

    Speaking in a passionate way pointed towards excessive discrimination by all the government past and present in regard not only Doda area but also whole Chenab valley belt from Padder to Marwah warwan to Gool Udhampur. Mr Abdul Qayoom Zargar condemned the recent custodial killing of two Imams of two different villages of Doda district despite some good beginning after the change in government.

    Speakers hailed the present peace process going on between India and Pakistan and lodged for a peaceful solution to vexed Kashmir imbroglio which if not solved has a potential to destroying the whole fabric of sub - continental ethic and civilization.

    Mr Naseer Khora in his inaugural address gave an introduction of Jammu and Kashmir Coalition Civil Society (JKCCS) and various activities undertaken by the forum.

    Concluding the seminar Mr Hashmi lamented the step motherly treatment of the J&K government towards development and grievances of Chenab valley area people. He also emphasised the need for a special arrangement like AHDC for Chenab valley area so that the peculiar geographic and climatic, social and economic situation of this area is dealt with its own decentralised planning strategy.

    Those who spoke on the occasion were MR Gh Haider Indrabi, Mohd Iqbal Wani, Gh Mohd Naik, Rajinder Kumar, Ishtaq Ahmed Dev, Nisar Ahmed Banday and Salah-ud-din.

STATES REPORT TO NHRC ON DISAPPEARENCES

    State government has submitted a report to National human Rights Commission (NHRC). The NHRC had taken the suo motto cognisance over the enforced disappearances in Kashmir. Here in below we are reproducing the scripts of the report submitted by the State government and the rejoinder by the APDP. Jammu and Kashmir has been facing a proxy war since 1989 and there are a numbers of individuals who have joined terrorist ranks and many of them have gone across for training to Pakistan / POK. A number of those crossing to Pakistan or returning got killed on the borders. It is well known that some killed on the borders remained unidentified. Even today in many encounters on the border, it is not possible to identify every person killed on the border. They have been categorised in four groups.

1. Persons running away from home for joining militancy. There entries are made in police rules, daily dairy, entry is made in register No 6 Part V and a separate search file is opened for each case.

2. Most of the people join terrorist ranks voluntarily. While crossing, many may have been dead while fighting security forces or are still active terrorist. A list of 12 cases is annexed of the individuals who are in POK and it was noticed as their parents have applied for passports. There would be scores of similar individuals in Pakistan and POK who are shown as missing.

3. The militants have been forcibly taking individuals on gunpoint and forcing them to join militancy and subsequently killed. And such cases could not be ascribed to security forces / police. Also militants masquerading as security force persons wearing army fatigue dress abduct people. Such cases are registered and investigated but unfortunately such cases remain untraced for involvement of foreign terrorist. In many a cases the responses for such disappearances get killed and not much headway is made to take the cases to their ideological end.

4. There are categories of militants who are alleged to disappear involuntarily and there is prima-Facie information that they were last seen in the custody of some security personnel. In such case, a case is invariably registered in the concerned police stations and in some cases magisterial inquiries are also ordered. There are 29 cases following in this category, where responsibility of the agency involved is identified and legal action follows.

5. Out of the 116 cases of ID recorded by APDP in Nov 2003, the status is:-

    At their home 43, join militant ranks 22, died in action with forces or cross fire 6, person in lawful custody 2, Cases in which police has taken cognisance regarding ID 13, persons could not be traced on address 16, Cases under investigation 13.

    Out of the 778 individuals, missing send to the NHRC, by the APDP, the state govt has ordered inquiry for the last month. In most of the cases the missing report has not been registered. Out of the 235 cases, in which few inquiries have been made, individuals available at home 50, join military ranks / killed by militants / killed in encounters / crossed over to Pak / POK 37, Died in accident / ailments / other circumstances 06, Could not be traced due to incomplete particulars or no such village exists or no such person with these particulars ever lived at given location 113.

    The rejoinder submitted by the APDP to the state govt report

    That the report submitted to NHRC by the State government is misleading, confusing, and contrary to the facts. The state of J&K has formally admitted that 3193 persons are reportedly missing in the state, since the conflict has started. The State government is unwilling to provide the list of these missing persons, despite of the repeated requests from the family members of ID. Instead the state govt claims that the people missing are not the cases of enforced disappearances, (meaning that they have not been taken to custody by the Law enforcing agencies) but have joined militancy and have crossed the Loc to seek training there. While as the APDP fears the number of missing persons is more than ten thousands who have been arrested by the army, SF, STF, IB and the non state actors operating under the control of the army aid by the police agencies. The state govt is also denying the repeated demand of the Association for constituting a commission under the Commission and Inquiry Act, as it is a problem confronted by more than 200,000 relatives. Government has reasons not to appoint that because they are convinced that the finding of the commission if held under some credible judge will indict Indian security forces and it will have political implications.

1.  It is denied that police is maintaining such police roles and are making entry in register no. 6 as prescribed under law. The police organisation has almost become dysfunctional, since conflict started and only now they are trying asserting their powers. The law and order though a state subject is taken by the army and the act of policing is also being done by them. Even notwithstanding the Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act the security forces have limited powers and they have to access the local police for whom they were requisitioned from the federal government to aid and assist the local police for maintaining “Law and order” but they have become law onto themselves.

2. People who cross the Loc to join the militancy are not the cases of disappearances because their family members somehow sooner or later came to know and never they approach the press, police or file petition of the Heabus corpus. They observe silence. The contention of the state hat scores of the persons are the cases of ID joining militancy is fallacious and misleading

3. There are seldom such instances where militants at gunpoint have taken individuals for forcibly joining militant ranks and kill them subsequently. Militants and unidentified gunmen do killings but they are not the cases of Enforced disappearances their bodies are collected by the police and handed over to relatives.

4. In the category no. d only 29 cases have admittedly qualified as ID. In this category the majority of the cases fall and the police is reluctant to file the FIRs and investigate the matters. Nevertheless the prosecution of the security persons is barred under the Armed forces special Powers Act (AFSPA), but the police agencies are unwilling to investigate the matters which they can, probably they have implicit directions to do so. Legal action has never been taken by the police agencies against any official so far. It is the relatives of the desaparecidos who have to file petition of Habeas Corpus in the High Court of J&K seeking mandamus for directing the police for filing the FIRs for conducting investigations into the matter. Even in the cases where the high court has directed police to complete investigation within a stipulated period, police is unable to do anything for the reasons that they are not getting any co-operation from the army to identify the culpable officials or they choose of their own not to process the matter.

    As far the details submitted by the state govt regarding 235 cases is again misleading. The six persons died in action with forces in cross firing in the report is blatant lie as none of the family members have received the body.

    The report is self-contradictory like the parents have not filed the missing reports. The contention of the state that the report ought to have been filed at the time of occurrence is also misleading, as the police officials are reluctant to do so.

    The state has withheld the information from the NHRC which would have been helpful for the commission to understand the ID in Kashmir.


COURT ORDERS TO RELEASE 2 PERSONS FROM ‘ILLEGAL DETENTION’

April 10: Quashing the Public Safety Act (PSA) imposed by district magistrates of Srinagar and Budgam, High Court today ordered the release of two persons detained under the Act.

    Special Operations Group (SOG) of police had arrested Farooq Ahmad Dar S/o Wali Muhammad R/o Dana Mazar, Safakadal on August 23, 2000. Two cases were registered against him. Following this, the district magistrate Srinagar ordered his detention for two years in November, 2002.

    The family of Dar challenged the order in the court that ordered his release. Instead of releasing him, the state government filed an appeal against the decision. A division bench of the court, however, ordered his release on December 2002 on his completion of the stipulated period of detention under Public Safety Act (PSA).

    “The state government continued the illegal detention of Farooq Ahmad Dar holding him at various interrogation centres, like Hari Niwas, Kothi Bagh police station and other centres. Police then issued another PSA order against Dar on July 9, 2003, said his counsel Mian Abdul Qayoom. His family again challenged the order. Farooq was alleged to have been involved in the attack on Radio Kashmir, Srinagar on June 24, 2003 and that he had links with the 3 militants killed in the attack. His counsel Qayoom argued that the allegation was baseless as he was in the custody of police at the time of attack. The medical examination reports of Farooq filed by doctors of police control room on Jan 22, 2003 and June 5, 2003 testified Qayoom’s statement.

    After hearing the counsel, Justice Bashir-ud-din quashed the PSA orders against the Farooq and ordered his release on the condition that he was not wanted in any case. Justice Bashir-ud-din also quashed the PSA orders against Muhammad Yaseen Rather.

RELEASED PRISONERS REARRESTED

April 17: Recently released prisoners were again rearrested by the Law enforcement agencies of the state government. According to sources 10 of the just released prisoners were rearrested and lodged in Kot Balwal and Kathua jails. Identified as Ab. Rashid Mir S/o Mohammad Mukhtar Shah R/o Shatmuqam Lolab Kupwara, Ab Rashid Mir S/o Mohammad Ramzan Mir R/o Patusha Lolab Kupwara, Gh Mohi-ud-din Ahanger S/o Mohammad Mukhtiar Ahanger R/o Chatipora Lolab Kupwara, Farooq Ahmed Beigh S/o Gh Mohammad Beigh R/o Aluchi Bagh Srinagar. Javied Ahmed Mir S/o Mohammad sultan Mir R/o Padshahi Bagh Srinagar, Javaid Ahmed Sofi S/o Mohammad Hayat Sofi R/o Marhama Kupwara, Ab Rashid Bhat S/o Gh Ahmed Bhat R/o Badkote Handwara, Mohammad Ashraf Hafiz R/o Khanyar Srinagar and Zafar Mehraj Naqashbandi S/o Mehraj-ud-din Naqashbandi R/o Fateh Kadal Srinagar. It is worth mentioning that only one of the re-arrested persons has been lodged in Kathua jail and has been identified as Firdous Ahmed Farash R/o Beerwah Budgam. The Government re-slapped Public Safety Act (PSA), despite the fact that they were released after getting exonerated from charges made against them under Public safety act (PSA).

    It is in place to mention here that with the announcement of the release of 16 more detainees by the joint screening committee in Jammu, the number of the released persons has gone up to 85. Meanwhile sources also said the near and dears are terming the release of the detainees a crude joke with the people of the state under the grab of the much publicised healing touch policy of the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed. More pertinent to mention is the fact that amongst the released persons many were found timber smugglers.

ARMY INCREASES NUMBER OF RR BATTALIONS IN J&K

April 16: Army is counting additional battalions of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) in J&K, thus increasing the present strength to 66 units by June 2005. The proposed expansion plan was approved by army Chief General N.C Vij at the on going bi-annual Army commander’s Conference. It will be put into action by the month end.

    The army is also keen on raising several “home and hearth” territorial battalions for the North–East, after successfully implementing the programme in J&K. In J&K, territorial battalions comprise of local youth as well as surrendered militants (Ikhwanis), who are now deployed in insurgency–affected areas.

EIGHTEEN MORE CRPF COMPANIES FOR J&K

April 7: The forces are keen on deploying an additional 18 companies of CRPF in the Indian territory of the state of J&K to ensure free and fair elections. It was decided by the Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) JN Sinha during a press conference. He further asserted that almost 254 companies of CRPF were already deployed across Indian occupied territory of the nation state of J& K.

ARMY TO RAISE NUMBER OF COUNTER-INSURGENCY FORCES

April 16: Indian army plans to include more specialist battalions to counter insurgency in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The army is going to raise 6 battalions of Rashtriya Rifles, to neutralize uprising by September. Six more battalions would be added by June 2005, working out the battalions to twelve. It was all stated by Major General Deepak Summanwar, Additional Director General (public information) while addressing a press conference.

    The whole plan was decided at the army commanders’ four day conference that ended here on Friday. The plan proposed to incorporate at least 1000 personnel’s in each battalion. The army also acknowledged of having raised seven battalions of the Territorial Army (TA), a volunteer force operating in the valley during the conference.

POLITICAL SCENARIO & PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
POLITICAL KILLINGS & SUSPENSION OF GOVERNMENT. EMPLOYEES

    Before and after the scheduled dates of “Parliamentary Elections” declared by the Indian Election Commissioner, the political parties of both streams (pro-India and Separatist) accelerated their activities. There were frequent attacks by unknown militants on the Pro-Indian politicians. A number of political activists and workers were killed in various parts of the valley. It was however only in few cases that militants owned responsibility. Even some stalwarts of ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had narrow escapes, when attacked while carrying their campaign.

    The state police for preventing anti-election campaign arrested a number of separatist leaders. But unlike Assembly Elections 2002, the separatists this time successfully carried out their anti-election campaign in almost every nook and corner of the valley.

    The suspension of twenty-eight government employees who defied the election duties, forced their counterparts working in different government departments (who mostly were not interested in performing election duties) to compromise with their dissent for the sake of their job. Of and on there were considerable protests by the government employees at some places.

    As the elections came closer, there was a considerable escalation in the political killings. However the blame game continues between the politicians and ministers who accused each other of derailing their election campaign.

    For the interest of the readers we have documented chronologically the poll related incidents of violence and also the arrests of the separatist political leaders.

CHRONOLOGY OF POLL RELATED INCIDENTS IN APRIL 2004

PDP’S election rally blasted; 11 killed and 70 injured
April 8: 11 people were killed and 70 injured including 2 PDP (people’s Democratic Party) cabinet ministers, when militants hurled a powerful grenade near the venue of an election rally at Srinagar Muzaffarabad road. Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussein Beigh and tourism minister Ghulam Hassan Mir were among the injured in the blast which took place at 2.40 pm.

    Heading along with a party activist to a school where the PDP election rally, also organised to press for opening of Srinagar – Muzaffarabad was scheduled, a powerful blast occurred. The grenade exploded amidst the rally with a big-bang killing eight civilians and a PSO on the spot and injuring at least seventy persons most of them badly including Finance Minister, Muzaffer Hussein Beig and Tourism Minister, Ghulam Hassan. However, the PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti escaped miraculously from an intended assassination bid.

    All the civilians were rushed to Baramulla hospital where two of the injured succumbed to their injuries. Militant outfit “Save Kashmir Movement” claimed responsibility for the blast.

    Blaming “some elements” of the state police for the attack the injured finance minister, Muzaffar Beig sought withdrawal of his security, which he said was inadequate. While talking to local English daily on phone the minister alleged, involvement of some elements of police in the incident to destabilise the coalition government on the behest of vested interests. The minister also demanded a high level enquiry in it.

    “The police on the scene not even bothered to lift the lying injured or dead, it was my party workers who did the rescue work which was needed at that time. Even I lied on the ground for such a long time”, added the minister.

    The Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, K. Rajandra unlikely in other cases has issued order on April 10, for immediate attachment of SDPO Uri and suspension of SHO, Uri with immediate effect. A special team has been constituted to investigate into the aspects relating to the grenade attack.

POLITICAL WORKER SHOT DEAD
April 11: A political worker of ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was allegedly killed by the militants atNambal in Mattan area of South Kashmir.

    Identified as block President PDP and an ex-employee of Fisheries Department, Assadullah Bhat was allegedly shot dead by the militants at Nambal in Mattan. Hearing the gun shots people rushed to the spot and found Assadullah lying in a pool of blood. He was immediately taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

    In another incident on April 18, a political activist of National Conference (NC) was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at Beerwah Budgam. The deceased has been identified as Habibullah Sheikh. .

FAROOQ AND KAR ESCAPE BID ON LIFE, WHILE ONE DISTRICT PRESIDENT CPI (M) INJURED IN MILITANT ATTACK
April 19: Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah escaped a bid on his life, after militants threw rifle grenade on his motorcade near Raithan in Budgam district. Heading for Raithan village to address an election meet, Farooq was ambushed by militants with rifle grenade at around 2.00 Pm. However the grenade exploded in the air without causing any injury.

    Congress candidate for Baramulla parliamentary constituency, Ghulam Rasool Kar, today escaped a bid on his life. At 2:30 PM militants fired on his vehicle, when his cavalcade was passing from Carport to Jaggerpora in Kupwara district for election campaigning. Kar and his associates were forced to take shelter in local army camp. However, no one was injured in the incident.

    In another incident on April 11, around 1.30 Pm, a sumo carrying the Islamabad district president of CPI (M) was attacked with grenades by militants. It led to the injury of CPI (M) district president Ghulam Nabi Malik of Hakoora, his body guard Ashiq Hussain and the driver of the sumo vehicle. The injured were admitted to hospital where their condition is said to be stable and out of danger.

ATTACK ON CONGRESS OFFICE
April 23: Just days left for the polls to go, militants struck by lobbing grenades towards the congress office near exchange in the Srinagar city. In the incident 5 troops, 2 journalist and 4 others were injured. The Srinagar district president of Congress, Abdul Gani Khan and senior congress leader Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh were present in the office at the time of the attack. One after another there were three grenade blasts, which prompted the security forces to retaliate. The whole area was cordoned off, suspecting it to be a Fidayeen attack.

    K. Rajendra, Inspector general of police giving details said that in a joint operation of BSF, CRPF and Police, nearly five security personnel were injured. Assistant commandant of the SSB, Rajinder Kumar who was also injured in the incident said militants tried to sneak inside the congress office. The vice president congress Abdul Gani vakil condemned the attack as an attack on democracy.

31 INCLUDING MIRWAIZ INJURED IN A RALLY
April 23: 31 persons were injured when police fired scores of smoke shells and resorted to cane charge to disperse people holding a peaceful human right violation rally on 22nd April, 2004. Former All parties Hurriet conference and chairman Awami action committee (AAC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq was among thirty persons injured in the incident.

    According to eyewitnesses, police fired tear smoke shells unprovokingly without even sparing women. Describing the police action as unwarranted Mirwaiz lauded the people for boycotting the election campaign. He further condemned security forces for forcing people to cast their votes.

242 KILLED AFTER POLL ANNOUNCEMENT
April 25: As the cease fire between the India and Pakistani troops continued on the borders for the last six months, nearly 242 persons have been killed in the up surging violence against the Lok Sabha polls in the state. The figure includes 69 civilians and 138 militants and official sources. The polls were announced on March 1, 2004.

ANOTHER BID ON MEHBOOBA, ONE KILLED AND NINE INJURED
April 25: One person was killed and nine injured in militant attack on people’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief and an assembly member-Mehbooba Mufti in kulgam at Islamabad. Campaigning in Khul area of Kulgam, militants attacked Mehbooba’s motorcade with a hand grenade. It however missed the target and exploded on the road injuring nearly 10 persons. The PDP chief however escaped unhurt. The policemen shifted three critically injured persons to the sub district hospital in Islamabad, where one 46-year-old Sanaullah succumbed to his injuries. Conditions of other two are stated to be critical.

12 CRPF PERSONNEL INJURED IN MILITANT ATTACK
April 25: 12 CRPF personnel including three officers were injured, when militants attacked the Lal Bazaar police station in Srinagar. Militants fired rifle grenades towards the compound of Lal Bazaar police station at about 1.30 Pm. In the incident In-charge commanding officer 126th bn CRPF, Assistant commander, head constable, police inspector, constable and SPO were injured. Hizbul Mujahideen claimed the responsibility for the attack.

FORMER HOME MINISTER ATTACKED
April 27: Suspected militants attacked independent candidate Maqbool Dar at Zainpora Pampore at around 4.15 Pm. Dar a former minister of state for Home, contested from the Islamabad constituency as an independent candidate. According to reports, Dar on his way to an election rally when the attack took place. In the incident two police personnel were injured. The injured were shifted to hospital were the condition of one assistant sub inspector Ghulam Mohammad and Constable Basher Ahmed is said to be critical. Tehreek-e-Jehadi Islami claimed the responsibility for the attack.

2 KILLED, 61 HURT IN DODA RALLY BLAST
April 28: In a landmine explosion, Former home minister and National conference candidate for Udhampur and Kathua Parliamentary constituency Khalid Najeeb Suherwardy escaped a bid on life. The incident took place nearly metres off from Bagwa-Doda, where he was addressing an election rally. A landmine suddenly blew off killing two persons and injuring 61 persons. It was the first attack on political rally in Udhampur Kathua parliamentary constituency. This created panic among the whole population who started fleeing in all directions.

    Army police and locals swung into action and shifted the injured to the Doda hospital, where 2 of them were declared brought dead. Eight others critically injured were airlifted to government Medical college hospital, Jammu for treatment.

SHAH DETAINED
April 4: Senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah and 12 of his associates were taken into preventive custody enroots Sumbal, Sonawari. Intercepted by police nearly 20 Kms on Srinagar –Budgam road, Shah and his associates, heading for an election boycott campaign were taken into custody and lodged in local police station. This is for the third time in a fortnight that shah has been detained for his anti-poll campaign. He was earlier detained at Mirgund on 26 March and en route Kupwara on 2nd April.

MALIK REARRESTED
April 6: The Jammu and Kashmir liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik and vice chairman Javaid Ahmed Mir was rearrested at Hariwanto village in Tangmarg. Addressing an Election boycott rally at the native village of Urban and housing development Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir, police took both of them into custody. It triggered massive protests by the residents of the area.

    Campaigning for an anti election boycott, Malik during the rally claimed it to be collective responsibility of all Kashmiri people to boycott elections.

GEELANI CONDEMNS ARREST
April 7: 12 members of the all parties Hurriet conference were arrested by police at Baramulla. All parties Hurriet conference Chairman Syed Ali shah Geelani addressing a gathering at Ladoora, Doabagh strongly condemned the arrests. Geelani asserted that government was befooling the people of J&K, promoting election in the name of settlement to Kashmir dispute.

SHABIR SHAH REARRESTED
April 9: Democratic freedom party (DFP) president was again taken into the custody by State police along with his associates. He was on his way to Kupwara for DFP”S anti election campaign. The arrestee’s include Haji Bashir Wani, Majid Mushtaq, Mohammad Yousuf Kuloo, Wasim Ahmed Latief, Muzaffar Ahmed, Imtiaz Ahmed and others. Describing the police action as frustration of Mufti Government, a spokesman of DFP condemned the arrests.

MILITANTS KILL PDP WORKER IN ISLAMABAD
April 10: Militants killed a people’s Democratic Party worker in Mattan Islamabad, late this evening. However the identity of the worker could not be ascertained.

CONGRESS DEMANDS JUDICIAL INQUIRY INTO URI BLAST

April 14: Demanding judicial probe into the Uri blast which killed 11 people and injured 70 others, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) today stated that only four persons were killed by the grenade blast and others lost their lives due to the retaliatory firing by Personal security guards of Minister for Finance Mr. Muzaffar Hussein Beigh.

    “PDP brought people in 400 vehicles to Uri by motivating them that they would be taken to Muzaffarabad and then the incident took place. There was no security lapse. Let them go for judicial inquiry. Everything will be clear within days”, said senior Minister for Consumer Affairs, Taj Mohi-ud-din.

MORE FORCES DEPLOYED IN 2ND PHASE

April 21: In an escalated militancy in the first phase of election at Baramulla, the state government mobilised additional security to ensure peaceful polling for the second and third phase of election in Kashmir. All the Para military forces deployed at Baramulla was shifted to Srinagar, which went to polls on 26th April in the second phase. It was followed by Anantnag constituency where polls were held during the third phase.

    Inspector general of Police Kondaveeti Rajinder Kumar said, “Security forces in adequate numbers were deployed for the second and third phase of polling. This was to ensure incident free and peaceful polling”. Further adding he stressed, “we streamlined our security gird and no efforts are spared to hunt down the militants and to maintain the highest degree of alertness”.

    In the escalated violence during the first phase of election in Baramulla, 4 persons were killed and 17 injured. Around 13 bomb blasts, IED explosion and firing incidents were reported on the polling day alone.

    Deputy inspector general of Border security force K.Srinavasan assured that intensive security arrangements were made for the second and the third phase of polling in Kashmir in view of the geographical prominence of ultra domination. He earlier had assured that no loopholes would be left to combat militancy in Kashmir.

DYSP MANHANDLES POLLING STAFF AT POONCH

April 21: A protest was triggered when Deputy Superintendent of police (DySP), allegedly manhandled some polling officials at Poonch. The polling staff deputed from Doda in Poonch for polling process, while depositing the electronic voting machines was allegedly manhandled by the DySp. This led to a scuffle between them. The police resorted to mild cane charge to control the situation. This triggered a protest by the polling officials who wanted action to be taken against the accused.

    A complaint was lodged by the officials against erring DySP (HQ) Poonch Nasir to Chief election commissioner for necessary action. It was for the timely intervention of the local administration including DC Poonch and ADC Poonch that finally pacified the whole situation.

POLLING DUTY OR HOSTAGE

April 16: The polling staff for Varmul & Kupwara constituency, comprising Government employees was directed to report for special duties on April 17. Showing strong resentment towards the Govt direction, the delegation of the employees claimed it Govt arrogance.

    Talking to media persons, one of the employees said “We are herded like animals to the booths, 5 days before the polling actually commences”

    For unknown reasons govt has been directing the employees 5 days in advance. However the concern of the employees cannot be subdued.

    “We appreciate the concern of the Govt but they must also realise our problems. My wife and four daughters support me. How can I leave them alone for Five Days? Retorted, Mohammad Sidiq- a teacher.

    Raising the issue before the authorities, received no sympathy. The latter however resorted to verbal reprimand & asserted them to be at the proper place & at the proper time. The concern of the employees is not totally baseless. Lack of basis facilities has often created problems for them. The delegation further urged the Government to refrain from subjecting the hapless employees to inconvenience that’s of and on pleas turned vain.

SEVEN INJURED IN BARAMULLA EXPLOSION

April 14: Seven persons including two women were injured, when suspected militants triggered off a powerful Improvised Explosive Device on the main road of Towheed Gunj, Baramulla. An IED was set by militants using a remote control, when the Commanding Officer of 46 RR was returning from a Sikh temple Gurudwara Chatti Singh ji Padshahi, Baramulla to his camp at around 11:30 A:M. However, the IED missed the intended target and left seven civilians injured. The condition of 2 civilians is stated to be critical.

    The injured were identified as; Sooraj Singh R/o Singh Bagh Baramulla, Ravinder Singh S/o Bhupinder Singh, Nazir Ahmad Bhat S/o Ghulam Mohammad Bhat R/o Sangri colony, Iqbal Ahmad Bhat S/o Farooq Ahmad Bhat R/o Khwaja Bagh Baramulla, Afsana Akhtar D/o Bashir Ahmad Darzi R/o Jamia Masjid and Ayesha W/o Abdul Samad R/o Azad Gunj. Harkat-ul-Ansar took the responsibility of the blast.

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS TRICKLE DOWN, TROOPS GET WARNING

New Delhi; April 12: Worried over the condemnation that Indian army has drawn over alleged human rights abuses recently, troop commanders today decided to instruct all formations to be “sensitive” while conducting anti-insurgency operations in Indian Administered part of Jammu and Kashmir as well as North- East.

    According to figures available at Army Headquarters, during the year commencing from Mar 2003-2004, 61 cases of human rights violation were recorded. The Indian army received 1800 complaints against its troops deployed for counter insurgency duties in Jammu and Kashmir as well as North- East. While the Indian army punished personnel in 114 cases of human rights violations, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) stepped in and offered compensation to victims in 17 cases. The Indian army rejected 1300 allegations of human rights violations in Indian Administered part of Jammu and Kashmir as baseless. Similarly, 40 allegations of human rights violations by troops were found to be untrue in Northeast.

    Senior Indian army officials fear that the alarming increase in human rights violations could be used by insurgents as a tactic against security forces to provoke violence in Kashmir. They also fear that the conditions in the territory they occupy may deteriorate to the pre 1990 levels. This, claim of senior Indian Army officials, is a reaction to the Indian army‘s success in wiping out several senior militants as well as the drop in militant infiltration.

NEWS IN BRIEF

MAN KILLED
April 1: Unidentified gunmen barged into the house of Mr. Mohammad Jamal Mir S/o Ghulam Mohammad Mir, R\o Sodhanara and shot him dead. The deceased was a surrendered militant (Renegade).

    In another incident, unidentified gunmen intercepted a Tata Sumo on its way to Srinagar at Chandigam and shot dead one of its occupants. The deceased was identified as Ghulam Nabi peer alias Khumani S/o Peer Mohammad Syed R/o Tral Bala. Police sources quoted the deceased as a released militant and an employee in the Agriculture department.

SIX CIVILIANS DETAINED BY RASHTRIYA RIFLES
April 2: Six civilians were taken by the“Rashtriya Rifle (RR) troops during a search operation from Naristan forest, at Tral in Pulwama district at 10 AM”, alleged the families of the civilians. All the civilians were detained by the Indian Army, which distressed their families.

    The civilians detained were identified as Haleem Khan, S/o Ghulam Khan, Bashir Khan S/o Ahmad Khan, Hassan Khan S/o Suba Khan, Ayub Khan son–in-law of Akbar Khan and Waheed S/o Ghulam Ahmad Khan all R/o Naristan, Tral.

IKHWANI HELD
April 3: Police today arrested two Ikhwani’s Fayez Ahmed Najar R/o Khadiyanar and Farooq Ahmad R/o Hajibal, allegedly responsible for the killing of Farooq Ahmad lone R/o Yalisari. Farooq was shot dead by the duo at his residence on March 18, 2004.

NADIHAL DETAINEE’S PLEAD HIS INNOCENCE
April 3: A strong resentment prevailed amongst the student community and locals against the arrest of a student allegedly at the hands of security forces in Nadihal Bandipora. Refuting the charges, the locals alleged that he was falsely implicated.

    According to sources, a student - Altaf Ahmad Lone S/o Muhammad Khalil R/o Nadihal Bandipora was allegedly apprehended by 14 RR (Rashtriya Rifles) last week. He was later handed over to police. The Altaf’s relatives however allege his detention on false grounds.

    One of the Altaf’s relative, while talking to reporters of C.C.S said, “soldiers of 14 RR detained Altaf in Nadihal camp and later handed him over to police. The troops accused to recover a grenade from him”. Pleading Altaf’s innocence, he further added that it had been a shock for the whole family, as Altaf was not involved in any kind of militant activities.

MAN KILLED
April 7: Police today recovered a bullet-ridden body of Muhammad Jabaar R/o Payar, Pulwama. The deceased, a former activist of Ikhwani (government gunmen) was kidnapped by unidentified persons from his house some days back.

LABOURER DIES
April 7: A labourer named Irfan was killed and another injured in a mine blast near Panthachowk in south Kashmir.
 
PRIEST AMONG OTHERS HELD
April 10: About a dozen persons, including a priest (Imam) were picked up and allegedly tortured the day before, by 1stJammu and Kashmir Light Infantry rifles (JAKLI), posted at Sagra village about 15 kilometres from Poonch. The residents however allege that the arrests are a tactic to harass the people in the area.

    According to eyewitnesses, the priest (Imam) of Sagra Mosque, Mufti Mohammad Yaqoob was reciting holy ‘Quran’ (religious book of Muslims) inside his house, when he was picked up. The JAKLI personnel however released him after severe thrashing. The other persons who were tortured included village head Mohammad Sharief, Abdul Hamid Qazi, Saif Din and Noor Mohammad. “For the fear of being unnecessarily harassed, over one dozen families have migrated from this village till date”, alleged a local. He further accused that inspite of their several pleas, police and local administration took no cognisance of the callous attitude of JAKLI forces towards the innocent people.

POLICE JEEP TORCHED
April 11: Following a massive protest, a police jeep was torched by an irate mob of Rahpora village; in Khudwani-Islamabad in retaliation to the alleged harassment by the 52 bn BSF personnel’s based there.
According to the villagers, the BSF personnel’s of 52nd battalion manhandled numerous people at village Rahpora including elders and minors. They also molested several women in the area. In reprisal, an irate mob torched a police jeep bearing no JK03-2277 in the area. The mob also protested against the thrashing of several boys of the area by the BSF personnel’s. This irked the police who later arrested 5 youth of the area. They were identified as Nusrat–ul-haq, Mudasir Zargar, Wasim Ahmad Dar, Mohd Rafiq lone and Mushtaq Ahmad Badoo.

PATIENTS IN SUMO LEFT HALFWAY
April 13: While asking the passengers to get off midway, Security forces snatched a passenger Sumo vehicle bearing no JK-05 6452 from the driver, near Pattan in Baramulla district of North Kashmir. The vehicle was carrying 3 patients, who were on their way to hospital. When one of the passengers took up the matter with the Station House Officer (SHO) and Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Pattan, they expressed their helplessness.

NEGLECT BY TROOPS; DAILY WAGER CRIPPLED FOR LIFETIME
April 12: A daily wager working with Power Development Department (PDD) lost his left arm and feet due to sheer negligence of the troops.

    Shabir Ahmad Gatoo R/o Bijbehara, received major burn injuries when he was asked by troops stationed at Panzgam-Pulwama to rectify a power fault in the barracks on the night of March 22. This was stated by his father Abdul Aziz. Anticipating that Shabir would succumb to his injuries anytime, the troops left him outside the camp gate at the mercy of God. Hearing his screams, some of the locals rushed to the spot for help. According to Aziz, locals had requested army to help them to shift Shabir to a nearby hospital, which the later allegedly turned down.

    The locals later on carried Shabir to the district hospital, from where he was shifted to Bone and joint hospital on March 23, in a very critical state. His left arm and left foot were amputated during an hour-long surgery. According to Doctors, “it was necessary to amputate Shabir’s completely burned organs as the delay would have risked his life.”

    The officials of the Power Development Department filed a FIR in the Awantipora Police Station where the police officials assured them of immediate action against the troops.

    However, troops stationed at Pulwama denied the accusations and claimed of providing first aid to Shabir soon after he recieved burn injuries while rectifying the power fault. They also claimed of having taken Shabir to hospital, which locals deny categorically.

MENTALLY CHALLENGED SHOT DEAD BY TROOPS
April 13: Troops allegedly shot dead, a mentally retarded person Nazir Ahmad Chaku S/o Ghulam Mohammad R/o Islamabad. Locals however alleged that the deceased was killed by the 44 Rashtriya Rifles personnel without any reason. The whole incident took place when he ventured out of his home. Hundred of people came out on streets and lodged a massive in the Islamabad town following his killing. The people demanded the culprits to be punished.

YOUTH ARRESTED
April 13: Thousands of people staged a massive demonstration against the arrest of a youth named Javed Hussein at Kawangarpora in Nowhatta area of Srinagar city. The protestors mostly comprising of women staged a sit in and blocked traffic. Due to public pressure, SHO Nowhatta reached the spot and assured the residents of the area that the whereabouts of Javed Hussein would be ascertained.

SHAKEELA PREFERS DEATH TO DISHONOUR
April 13: Resisting an attempt on her modesty by Indian Army personnel, a woman died on spot after being reportedly dragged by the forces from the first floor of her house in Beerwah Budgam. Identified as Shakeela w/o Bashir Ahmad Gania R/o Kandoora, army personnel brutally dragged her from the first floor of her house leading to her death. She had delivered a baby just 23 days back. However SSP, Budgam R.K Jala defending the Indian Army said that Shakeela died of shock during the searches.

KREERI OBSERVES STRIKE
April 14: Complete strike was observed in Kreeri Pattan today against the alleged beating of a shopkeeper by the personnel’s of Special Operation Group (SOG).

    According to eyewitnesses SOG personnel in the morning entered into the STD shop of Ejaz Ahmad and severely beat him up without any provocation. The incident evoked strong reaction from shopkeepers and people of the area, who observed complete strike in protest.

JAWAN DIES IN MYSTERIOUS SHOOT OUT
Jammu, April 12: An army cop died in a mysterious shoot out at Ratnuchak. The identity of the deceased could not be ascertained, as the body was still in the possession of army authorities. Highly reliable sources however, pointed out that cop died due to mishandling of weapon.

YOUTH HELD
April 1: Showkat Ahmad Bhat S/o Ghulam Mohammad Bhat R/o Sumbal was detained by the troops of 31 Rashtiya Rifles (RR) when he was coming out of his house on Thursday.

MILITANTS ABDUCT TEACHER, SHOT AT IN BUDGAM
April 29: A schoolteacher was injured, when militants shot after abducting him from Waterhal in Budgam. According to the police, Hafizullah wani was kidnapped by militants from primary school Bagandar, Budgam and subsequently shot .He received bullet injuries in his leg and was shifted to hospital.

    Elsewhere Security forces in joint operation with SOG recovered 10 Kgs of RDX, 1005 rounds, 1wireless set and 5 UBGL grenades from a terrorist hide out at Nasoo Ghat –Bandipora.

    In another raid, security forces recovered 2UBGL’s, 110 UBGL grenades, 13 remote control devices, 56 detonators, five oils of cordex wire, 26 hand grenades and 2580AkK rounds from a hideout in Gulmarg.

CIVILIAN KILLED BY MILITANTS
April 29: Militants shot dead a civilian in Sumber area of Ramban. He was identified as Mohd Qasim S/o Peer Baksh, R/o Sumber. Militants abducted him a couple of days ago and later shot him dead on suspicion of being security force informer.

1 DEAD, 9 INCLUDING 7 BSF MEN AND 1 GIRL INJURED IN ATTACK ON VARIOUS POLLING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY
April 26: A girl identified as Naza Akhter was injured in a grenade blast at Yechgam Beerwah. Police said militants hurled a grenade towards Yechgam polling station; however it missed the intended target and hit an adjacent house .In the incident Naza was injured.

    Seven BSF men and a civilian were injured when militants belonging to Alarifeen group fired a grenade on a polling station at Panzan Chadoora in Budgam district.

    In another incident, Militants fired rifle grenades at Rasthan Beerwah polling station and Wattarhil Budgam polling station. The security forces deployed there open fired in retaliation. However no damage was done.

    Injured in a grenade attack on PDP rally at Kulgam yesterday, Danish (9) today succumbed to his injuries. Thus the death toll has gone to four.

6 BSF MEN INJURED IN MILITANT ATTACK ON THREE POLLING STATIONS
April 25: Six BSF men were injured when armed ultras attacked three polling stations in Chadoora and Beerwah in Budgam district.

    According to official reports militants attacked three polling stations at Khanda, Rasthan in Chadoora and Panzan in Beerwah where six BSF men were injured. Security forces effectively counter-acted the militant attack. However no civilian casualty was reported in the incident.

GEELANI, SHABIR PUT UNDER HOUSE ARREST
April 24: Senior separatist leader Syed Ali shah Geelani and Shabir Ahmed shah were put under the house arrest for the second consecutive day. In order to oppose the anti election campaign started by them, a large contingent of army was deployed outside their residence.

    Chairman of breakaway Hurriet faction, Geelani regretted the act and claimed elections a part of political gimmick to befool the international community.

    In a press statement, democratic freedom party called it an immoral and inhuman act that belied the tall claims of democracy of Indian leaders. Meanwhile other members of the Hurriet and DFP (democratic freedom party) continued with the campaign in various parts of Srinagar and Budgam.

MINOR KILLED, ANOTHER HURT IN GANDOH EXPLOSION
April 23: A minor boy was killed and another injured when a grenade found from dhok (hut) exploded at village Bhargi in Gandoh.

    According to reports, 6-year-old sudhir Kumar S/o Mahinder Singh and 12 year old papi kumar S/o Ranjit Singh residents of Bhargi, having found a ball like thing inside a dhok started playing with it. Soon it exploded. Hearing the bang the family members rushed to the spot, where the children were lying in a pool of blood. The boys were taken to Gandoh hospital where Papi Kumar succumbed to his injuries. The other one was stated to be critical.

SPO AND A CONSTABLE INJURED IN A FIDAYEEN ATTACK
April 23: An SPO (Special police officer) and a constable were injured, when a Fidayeen fired on them in Surankote bazaar in Poonch. The constable sustained bullet wounds on his chest, stomach and arm, while SPO sustained bullets on his neck and hand. The incident took place at the STF (Special task force) post near the vicinity of MLA (member legislative assembly) Surankote. Identified as Constable Abdul Hamid and SPO Abdul Ahad, they were airlifted to Govt medical college Jammu for treatment.

    Meanwhile, security forces during a joint operation busted a hide out in Nachlama Banihal and recovered 15 Kgs IED, 1500 Kgs assorted ration and two syntax tanks. The operation continues. In another operation in Gulabgarh (Udhampur), security forces recovered 100 pounds of Pika ammunition and two rocket-propelled grenades. The operation still continues.

    Militants set ablaze a Govt middle school hosting certain polling booths in Sonarthawa Chiralla in Doda.

UNREMITTING VIOLENCE CLAIMS 4, INJURING 3 IN VALLEY
April 16: A militant and a soldier were among four persons killed in valley. According to official sources on raid of a militant hide out at Dardpora, 8RR troops came under heavy fire from militants. In the ensuing gun battle one militant was killed. Identified as Qaiser R/o Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK), he belonged to Harkat Jehadi Islami outfit.

    Unidentified gunmen shot dead one surrendered militant at Fidarpora Panzula. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Amin S/o Ghulam Mohammad R/o Saria pora Panzula.

    Suspected militants hurled a grenade on forces camp, which however missed the intended target, causing injuries to three civilians .The civilians have been identified as Javaid Ahmed S/o Abdul Salam R/o Akhoora Mattan, Wazira D/o Gh. Qadir R/o Subhanpora and S.Karim –a Bihari labourer.

ONE KILLED IN MINE BLAST
April 16: Injured in a mine blast in March at Lolab, Mohammad Yousuf Khan S/o Abdul Khaliq R/o Lolab today succumbed to his injuries. The mine blast left 38 soldiers injured.

    The death toll in the IED blast at Sangaldan Gool in Udhampur district has gone to three after one more soldier succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

CONSTABLE INJURED IN ENCOUNTER
April 17: In an encounter with militants, a police constable Basher Ahmed was injured, while on a joint patrol of police and troops at Dara Sangla- Hari Masjid, Surankote.The constable was later airlifted to Jammu medical college for treatment.


DISAPPEARANCES

BOY MISSING
April 7: Studying in class XII, Basharat Rasool S/o Ghulam Rasool R/o Shalla Bug, Ganderbal block of district Srinagar, mysteriously disappeared after he was returning from school 11 days ago.

SHOPKEEPER DISAPPEARS
April 7: Even after 25 days of his arrest, the whereabouts of a shopkeeper Naseer Ahmad Sheikh S/o Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh R/o Sheikh Mohalla Shopian, of district Pulwama are unknown.

    According to family sources, Nasser was arrested by the state police, which was accompanied by security forces during the intervening night of 12th & 13th March. The aggrieved family has urged the authorities to take serious note of the incident.

WOMEN – CHILDREN KILLED

April 2: A woman lost her life when she was allegedly trapped in an encounter between militants and troops at Gagran, Shopian in south Kashmir. Her identity was established as Zarina of Mundi Rajouri who was a beggar.
April 7: A woman was allegedly killed by an unknown posse of gunmen inside her home at Pargam Bala area of Kulgam.
    Reports said, gunmen not identified forced their entry inside the residential house of one Mohammad Ramzan Shah and fired at his daughter who died on the spot. The motive behind the killing was not known. The deceased has been identified as Sweety.
April 20: A woman journalist was killed in an IED blast in Sogam area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir  while monitoring the Parliamentary Elections. The deceased has been identified as Aasia Jeelani d/o Bashir Ahmad of Nageen, Hazratbal, Srinagar.
April 23: A minor lost his life and another injured when they allegedly fiddled with a lying hand grenade in village Bhargin at Doda district. The deceased was identified as Papi Kumar son of Ranjit Singh resident of Bhargin.
April 24: Wife and a minor daughter of a Special Police Officer were killed allegedly by the suspected militants in Ajas Bandipora in north Kashmir Baramulla.
    The deceased were identified as Shaha Begum, 30, wife of Ghulam Hassan Qureshi and her daughter Misra, 8. 

KILLINGS IN THE MONTH OF APRIL

DATE	SOLDIERS	MILITANTS	CIVILIANS	OTHERS
April 1	-	-	2	-
April 2	2	-	2	-
April 3	2 ( 1 Army Captain)	-	-	1 unidentified dead body found
April 4	2	1	1	-
April 5	1	2	-	-
April 6	2	2	-	1 surrendered militant
April 7	-	1	1	1 govt. militant
April 8	7 (1 RR Captain)	5	10	-
April 9	-	2	3	-
April 10	-	2	1	-
April 11	1	4	-	1 political activist
April 12	-	3	1	-
April 13	1	2	1	1 SF informer & 1 dead body found
April 14	-	2	-	-
April 15	2	2	-	-
April 16	-	1	1	-
April 17	2	7	-	-
April 18	1	2	-	1 political activist
April 19	-	3	-	-
April 20	-	-	4	-
April 21	-	3	-	-
April 22	1	-	3	-
April 23	1	1	1	-
April 24	-	1	2	1 political activist
April 25	-	-	3	-
April 26	-	2	2	-
April 27	1	1	-	1 surrendered militant
April 28	-	1	2	-
April 29	-	-	1	-
April 30	-	4	-	-
TOTAL	26 (2 officers)	54	41	9

DATE	EXTRA JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS & CUSTODIAL KILLINGS	WOMEN KILLED	CHILDREN KILLED	ALLEGED DISAPPEARANCES
April 2	-	1	-	-
April 4	-			1
April 7	-	1	-	-
April 14	-			1
April 15	-			1
April 20	-	1	-	-
April 23	-	-	1	-
April 24	-	1	1	-
Total	0	4	2	3

 

 

 

 

 

APRIL CHRONOLOGY OF INCIDENTS

April 1: Two civilians were killed in an explosion in the valley.
April 2: Two civilians including a woman, one SPO and a soldier were killed in separate incidents of violence.
April 3: Two army personnel including a army Captain, an unknown militant and five civilians were killed                meanwhile an unidentified dead body was recovered from Surinar area of  Rajouri district.
April 4: Two soldiers, one militant and civilian were killed in separate incidents of violence.
April 5: Two militants and a soldier were killed in separate incidents of violence, meanwhile, sixty-five persons including 20 women injured when an unidentified persons hurl a grenade over a BSF gypsy in Pulwama
April 6: Soldier, a Special Police Officer, two militant and a surrender militant were killed in various incidents of  violence.
April 7: One militant, govt. militant and a woman were killed in separate incidents of violence.
April 8: Six RR personnel including a Captain, five militants including a Chief Commander & District                Commander of JeM and two civilians were killed in separate incidents of violence.

*              Eight civilians and a security guard were killed and seventy others injured when militants allegedly                hurled a hand grenade over a ruling PDP election rally.    

April 9: Two militants and civilian were killed in separate incidents of violence while two more civilians                succumbed to their injuries they received in a grenade blast when hurled over a political rally on April 8. 
April 10: One JeM militant, a Harkat-ul-Mujahideen militant and a civilian were killed in separate incidents of                 violence. 
April 11: Three LeT and a HuM militant, army personnel and PDP activist were killed in separate incidents of                 violence.
April 12: Three militants of different organisations and a civilian were killed in separate incidents of violence                  while a SPO received injuries when targeted allegedly by the militants.
April 13: Two militants, one 3 Rajput Rifles jawan, an alleged security forces informer and a civilian were killed  while three persons including two soldier were injured in various incidents of violence.

*  Police recovered a dead body from the forest area of the Marthed Nalla in the Chakoora area. The body           as identified as Gulzar Ahmad Kasana of Kukernag.

April 14: Two HM militants were killed in violence related incidents.
April 15: Two soldiers and two militants were killed in different incidents of violence.  
April 16: One civilian and a militant were killed in different incidents of violence.
April 17: Seven militants including two LeT militants and a HM militant, and two personnel of Rashtriya Rifles were killed in various incidents of violence.
April 18: A National Conference activist, two unidentified militants and a soldier were killed in different                  incidents of violence.
April 19: Three militants were killed in violence related incidents.
April 20: Four civilians including woman were killed in bloodshed incidents.
April 21: Three LeT militants were killed in Jammu provision.
April 22: An army man and a civilian were killed in violence related incidents.
*         : Two civilians were killed in IED explosion in Srinagar.
April 23: One T-u-M militant and a minor boy were killed in violence related incidents.
*             : A security forces jawan Mukesh Kumar belt no. 1458622 shot himself dead with his service rifle in his                Unit 103 regiment.
April 24: One PDP activist, JeM militant and mother daughter duo were killed in various incidents of violence.  April 25: Three civilians were killed in an explosion.
April 26: Two HM militants and two civilians were killed in violent incident. 
April 27: One LeT militant, army jawan and a surrendered militant were killed in various incidents of violence. 
April 28: One HM militant and two civilians were died in different incidents of violence.
April 29: One civilian were killed in violence related incidents.
April 30: Two LeT and two HM militants were killed in separate incidents of violence across the state.

The Informative Missive
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