Informative Missive

Editorial HIGHWAY TERROR

    Recently five students while going for a picnic to Patnitop - a tourist resort on the national highway - were severely beaten by the state police on the pretext of arguing with a private truck driver, who had recklessly overtaken their vehicle. Miraculously, they escaped from a fatal accident. One of the students Musharaff Zargar pursuing his Computer Engineering in Bangalore was hospitalised for 10 days. Three received serious injuries with abdominal trauma, liver damage, blood clots and severe blood loss.

    Army vehicles plying on the streets, towns and national highway in J&K, continue to indulge in unprovoked violence that seriously threatens citizens’ physical security as well as their lives. Ever since the beginning of the conflict in Kashmir, the drivers have to concentrate more at the rear than at the front while driving their vehicles to make way for the army vehicles without affecting their speed. The people are forced to make way for security forces at any cost, place or under any circumstances, failing which they face verbal abuse, humiliation and or severe beating. There are innumerable cases where not only drivers but even commuters including students and women have been taught a lesson for not doing the ‘needful’. Driving has already become a difficult task due to the traffic explosion and it makes it more difficult when the drivers have to look frequently via side-mirror to see whether any army vehicle is not coming. Sometimes, this fear culminates into serious accidents. The rate of accidents have alarmingly increased since the conflict erupted.

    During 1996, while driving on the highway along with a prominent human rights defender late Justice VM Tarkunde the editor’s vehicle was abused by passing soldiers for not stopping the vehicle, even though it was given enough space. The army’s behaviour shocked late Justice Tarkunde making him remark that this behaviour was worse than the occupational forces. It is not the matter of obstructing their way, which could affect their operations, but a reflection of soldiers and officers’ ego. A detailed study is needed about the hit and run cases of the army vehicles, which has taken the alarming proportions.

    Besides, security forces, the SOG (Special Operation Group) vehicles since the group’s formation in 1996, added to the problem and proved more ruthless than the army particularly on the national highways. People fear the SOG more than the army. There are innumerable cases where the drivers and commuters were beaten and humiliated. This practice is not only limited to rural areas but occurs in cities too. Often, there have been strikes by transporters against the beating up, disappearances, and even killings of their colleagues. The highway terror has compelled drivers (particularly the victims) to opt for other jobs. Earlier, the transporters made petitions to the civil authorities but this exercise always proved futile and useless, as civilian authorities have implicitly expressed their helplessness. This made them (drivers) to resign themselves to this fait accomplia.

    To illustrate a case, in June 2003, a lady professor when failed to provide way to a SOG vehicle at crowded Sariabala Street at Srinagar, enraged the personnel who not only abused and manhandled her but also even made a bid to drag her out of her car in presence of helpless crowd. Helpless commuters and the drivers accept these excesses and they dare not file any more petitions to the authorities, as they have no faith over them. These highway excesses are occasionally reported in the press without any follow up. Still this practice continues, taking a heavy toll in the rural areas. There has been no change despite the change of the government.

    The traffic control department cannot implement its rules and regulations on thousands of army vehicles operating in the state; these are only meant for helpless citizens. Even the state police (non SOG) have got influenced by the style of the security forces and sometimes it seems they are competing with the latter. Further, VVIP vehicles also sometimes behave in the same fashion. People’s right to mobility and right to movement particularly students and in medical related cases is being curtailed by these measures. The behaviour of the security forces justifies the opinion of late Justice Tarkunde’s view about the army.

COPS KILL CIVILIAN, CM ORDERS ACTION
May 11: Massive demonstrations rocked Brari Angan in Anantnag after police killed a civilian. The civilian died while resisting the extortion bid of police. In the incident, protestors apprehended two policemen including an officer. The incident followed massive demonstrations in Takanwari, Srinagar and Kandi-Handwara.

    Admitting their wrong motives, Gopal Sharma Director General of Police, said that the two accused personnel’s had been arrested. "There was no justification for them to go there at 2 a.m. in the night”, affirmed DIG.

    Reports said, some policemen from Utrosoo police camp forced their entry into the house of Abdul Rashid Khan at mid-night. Masquerading as Lashkar militants, they demanded huge sum. Khan confronted the impostors who opened fire, killing him and injuring four other locals. Hearing gunshots, a large number of people descended on the scene and apprehended the police ASI, Mohammad Yousuf and Constable Farooq Ahmad, while three others managed to escape. One more cop involved in the incident was later identified as Constable Mohammad Rafi. In the morning thousands of people visited the village and staged demonstrations. Senior civil officers including deputy commissioner, Anantnag and police officers visited the area but refrained from approaching the agitating protestors. It was only on the assurance of strict action by SSP police that locals handed over the two accused personnel’s. In response to the involvement of other personnel’s, DIG said, “Whosoever is behind it would not be spared. During stone pelting, one civilian lost his life. We have sent our DIG and SSP to the area and we are waiting for more information”.

    Meanwhile, MLA Pir Mohammad Hussain visited the residence of Rashid Khan and handed over an ex-gratia relief cheque of rupees one lakh to the family members. Condemning the incident, he demanded case registration and exemplary action to be taken against the accused personnel. He assured the deceased’s wife of a government job as fourth-class employee in the village school soon.

    Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took serious note of the incident and instructed the concerned authorities of filing FIR against the erring policemen under the relevant sections of Criminal Procedure Code.

    Following widespread protests and government pressure against Brari Angan incident Director General of Police (DGP), Gopal Sharma dismissed seven police personnel of Utrasoo camp, from service who were involved in the crime. All the accused were registered under section 302 of the Cr.P.C.

    Stating that police department is essentially meant for maintaining law and order in the state and looking after the welfare of the people, the DGP said there is no scope for malfeasance and criminal misdemeanour by police personnel.

    The dismissed policemen were identified as ASI Mohammad Yousuf (No. 8721/NGO), Constables Maqsood Ahmad (No. 1462/A), Bashir Ahmad (No. 1804/A), Showkat Ahmad (No. 1598/A), Showkat Ahmad (No. 828/A), Farooq Ahmed (No. 1746/A) and Mohammed Rafiq (No. 1743/A).

    Meanwhile, CRPF men stationed at a government school in Takenwari allegedly beat two students. The 8Bn CRPF troops manhandled two class VIII students, triggering protest in the area. The protestors accusing the forces of harassment demanded the camp be shifted.

    In other demonstration at Kandi Handwara, people alleged security men of forced labour and irrational thrashing. Protestors urged the chief minister to take redressive measures.

MOUZZIN’S KILLING SPARK PROTEST

May 19: Thousands of people went to streets protesting against the alleged killing of a Mouzzin (person reciting the call for the prayers) at the hands of security forces at Shaar village in Pulwama in South Kashmir.

    According to reports, Jalal-ud-din Lone (45), a Mouzzin in a local mosque was allegedly killed by army, while he was heading towards the mosque to give the call for Fajr (pre-dawn prayer). Locals however, believed the killing as an aftermath of encounter between militants and troops of 193 Regiment in which forces suffered some casualties. The army later handed over the Mouzzin’s body to police custody. The locals against what they called a ‘deliberate killing’ lodged a massive protest. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans the protestors marched towards Khrew Township, at one km distance from Shaar village. In order to disperse the agitated mob, police fired in air and resorted to severe baton charge, amidst tear gas shelling. Owing to public pressure, the body of Jalal was later handed over to locals who took it to Shaar village.

    Denying the villagers claim, army said Lone was killed in an exchange of fire during an ambush of a militant hideout. In the incident, according to police two jawans were also injured in which Lance Naik Surinder Singh succumbed to his injuries. The spokesman said despite the loss of the jawan, the operation was called off to prevent any collateral damage in the village. "The situation turned into a law and order problem and was handed over to Deputy SP Letapur", he said.

    Amidst protest a complete strike was observed in the Khrew Township following the killing. Senior civil and police officers rushed to the spot and assured an enquiry to get control over the situation.

    In separate incident at Beerwah, unidentified gunmen allegedly fired upon Mohammad Ayub Bandey late in the evening yesterday. Bandey was the vice chairman of Salvation Movement, a group mostly comprising released militants. He was shifted to Magam hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. His killing sparked massive protest in Beerwah. It was however for the timely intervention of police that prevented several attempts of vehicle torching by the villagers.

    A protest was also held in a Tral village against the beating and harassment by security forces. Reports revealed that during army cordon, a number of locals were allegedly beaten up and their houses ransacked. The protestors chanted slogans against the excesses.

    Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen abducted two persons including a PDP activist. Manzoor Ahmad Ganai, who was polling agent for the PDP in the recent elections, was abducted at Achabal while Mushtaq Ahmad Dar was abducted from his home at Kulgam.

STUDENT BEATEN BY POLICE; ESCAPED BY ARMY

    On May 12, a student Mushtaq Zargar s/o Dr Manzoor Hassan Zargar r/o Bemina, being on vacation visited to Patnitop tourist resort Jammu along with some relatives. On return his car was hit by a speedy truck coming from opposite direction as a result of which his car was damaged and Mushtaq had a narrow escape. Mushtaq chased the truck and stopped the same at a distance. The driver of the offending vehicle whom they found drunk, was accompanied by a police personnel sitting next to the driver. The police personnel started intimidating and threatening Mushtaq and his colleagues. Meanwhile a Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) vehicle carrying jawans halted near the site and the jawans called their colleagues and all of them came out from their truck and pounced on Mushtaq and his colleagues, beating them ruthlessly. They beat them with gun buts as a result of which Mushtaq received severe internal injuries. Mushtaq was beaten by three police constables namely Gh. Jeelani constable no 635 JKAP 14th BN, Mohammad Younis constable no 687 JKAP 5th BN and Javaid Ahmed constable no. 536 JKAP 4th BN. Meanwhile, an army truck stopped and intervened and rescued the student from the beating of the police personnel’s. Had army personnel’s not intervened Mushtaq would have been beaten to death. Mushtaq was later on rushed to the GMC Hospital Jammu and a case was filed under FIR No. 26/2004 against the delinquent police officials in the police station Chinani. Mushtaq was admitted in the hospital as a case of assault with Haemoperiponium and Laceration lever on May 12 2004; he was operated for the same on May 13 and discharged from the hospital on May 20 and was advised complete bed rest for 6 weeks. It will take months for Mushtaq to recover from the surgery and ailment caused to him by the severe thrashing by the police personnel’s without any justification.

    Mushtaq in view of the violations has filed a petition in the State Human Rights commission for seeking action against the culpable police personnel and for the compensation.

PLAY FIELD TURNED INTO DEATH FIELD

    On 15th of May 2004, a fruit vendor, Firdous Ahmed Lone, 18, s/o Ali Mohammad Lone r/o Ganowpora Arshi of tehsil Shopian fell prey to the bullets of troops manning at Chowgam tehsil Shopian.
Around 5:00 pm while Firdous was playing cricket at Catindthora playground, troops deployed their opened unprovoked firing results into his on spot death. As much as 300 villagers were present on the playground that had witnessed the incident.

    While talking to The Informative Missive the deceased’s family recounts, “On that fateful day, he left the home at 2.30 pm for playing in the nearby playground. The players while relishing the game shook when there were sudden gunshots followed by chaos and confusion. Soon the perplexity ends, a dead body was lying on the mid of the ground wearing laggards, and batting gloves, and to some distance his cricket bat was lying.

    This shook the public assembled there to watch the match that the dead body was of Firdous”. The locals while lamenting the army firing told this to the reporter, what life we are living. No militant fired. What compelled the troops to kill the innocent who had nothing to do with militancy? Is killing an-unarmed and innocent sign of bravery.

    The locals in order to protest the killing carried out procession amidst anti-troopers slogans. They also demanded punishment to the culpable, which they alleged were the forces.

    They took out the procession to the nearby Shopian town where they logged a FIR against the forces. “No Government agency or authority has so far visited our house, neither had we gone to any Government agency or authority for help, said one of the relatives of the deceased.

    Firdous Ahmed Lone left behind 3 brothers, 2 sisters and parents. Firdous Ahmed Lone was the elder son. His father said, “Firdous Ahmed Lone was neither involved in militancy nor had he participated in any pro or anti-govt programmes. We fail to understand why our son was killed. Can any one tell us what his fault was”?

DISAPPEARANCE OF FIVE RENEGADES

    Five Ikhwanis allegedly disappeared mysteriously after being taken by 21 RR for a joint operation in Zachildara area of Kupwara district, claimed the villagers.

    Five years back, five Ikhwanis namely Mushtaq Ahmed Sheikh S/o Late Abdullah Sheikh R/o Zachildara, Manzoor Ahmed Khan S/o Karimullah khan R/o Zachildara, Aziz Bajjard S/o Bakshi Bajjard R/o Yamrad, Kupwara, Jamal S/o Krem Gujjar R/o Yamrad Kupwara and Shafi S/o Sattar R/o Yamrad working for three years with 21 Rashtriya Rifles based at Zachildara camp disappeared mysteriously after accompanying army on a joint search operation. The whole incident took place at the backdrop of a major bomb blast at Wodpora Kupwara in which army suffered heavy causality, claimed the villagers.

    Since the disappearance, their families left no stone unturned to locate them but all in vain. FIR in this connection was lodged in the Zachildara police station bearing no 190/2000.

    Talking to The Informative Missive, Zooni, mother of Mushtaq (one of the disappeared renegade) said, “Four years back, my husband died leaving four children for me to support. I had no source of income, and the children were too small to work. Initially I tried hard but things seem to go worse. Realising the family condition my eldest son Mushtaq left his studies and started working as a carpenter. However owing to the proximity and prominence of the area, financial constraints and new responsibilities, pulled each other hard and each day was getting harder. In view of the family sufferings Mushtaq started working as Ikhwani with SP Kupwara Ashkur Wani. However later he joined 21 RR based at Zachildara camp, which is at lengths distance from our residence”.

    Adding further she said, “In early 1999, there was a major blast at Wodpora, in which Brigadier and CO of the 21 RR lost their lives. At the same time one of the Ikhwani Ramzan Banday went missing. A month later he appeared back in a suspicious manner. Two days after his return and nearly three months after the Wodpora incident, 21 RR led by Major Showkat (Fake Name) send his RP man Vikram for Mushtaq and 4 other Ikhwanis. Mushtaq was having tea at that time. Sensing something important he rushed towards the camp. We all stood near the window facing the camp and kept waiting for his return. It was around 3 p.m. that Mushtaq along with four other Ikhwanis came out and boarded the wanton”.

    Mushtaq’s wife tearful recalls the incident, “As soon Mushtaq came out along with other colleagues from the camp, they looked quite pale and tired. And without saying anything, they all boarded the wanton and left. We thought they might have something urgent.” However when Mushtaq and his other colleagues did not return even two days after the incident, their families apprehensive of their safety went to the Zachlidara camp and met the Major who assured them that they had gone for a search operation and would be back soon. However when days after, the Ikhwanis didn’t return back, the family again went to the camp and this time started protesting. Realising the gravity of the situation, the Major told the families that all the Ikhwanis had disappeared and army was trying hard to relocate them. “It came as a shock for us. We immediately rushed to the police station and lodged a FIR. Later same day army came to our residence and asked for weaponry. We refused to hand it over to them. We thought they might label them as militants and kill them, so we handed it over to the DSP Shan at police chowki Handwara” said Mushtaq’s mother.

    Since Mushtaq’s disappearance, the family has moved from post to pillar but in vain. “We have invested all we had to get his whereabouts. Sometimes we get information that he is in Papa 2. We somehow arrange money by either selling a part of our land or cattle to make it to the place but it is always dejection. Now we have nothing left. We even filed a case in the SHRC, where the commission granted 2 Lacs compensation and job to the families of all the five disappeared. It has been two years since but the families are still waiting for the Justice”, said one of the relatives of Aziz, who is one among the disappeared.

    Talking to The Informative Missive, the families of the other victims had the same tale to narrate. All the families accused army of taking and then mysteriously disappearing, their wards. Amina- Manzoor’s wife with tears in her eyes said, “Manzoor along with Aziz surrendered militancy and joined the SP Kupwara Ashkur Wani before joining the 21 RR.

    On the fateful day at 10 a.m., one RP man came and took Manzoor with him saying that Major wanted to meet him urgently. Manzoor was just having breakfast at that time. He left the breakfast and went with the army constable”.

    Further adding she said “we have nothing to support ourselves. My children are too young besides I have no material goods to sustain. Although SHRC granted compensation but the tehsil office says to produce death certificate otherwise we wont get the compensation. Where can we get the death certificate? We don’t know whether they are alive or dead”.

    Mushtaq’s wife further talking to the Informative Missive said, “Is this what we get for our being loyal. My husband worked for them and God knows what they have done to him. Now they threaten us for pursuing the case”.

All the five families of the disappeared are living in grave misery and dejection. With financial constraints pulling hard, life has turned virtually hell for them.

VILLAGER SEEKS JUSTICE

    Wadoora in district Handwara lies hardly at one km distance from the border. Being close to border, the area is prone to shelling and violent incidents in which many civilians have been killed and injured. Further, the area faces threats from renegades who harass people through abduction, extortion and killings. The worst hit are women, who are often subjected to harassment and molestation.

    On the fateful day of 20th June 2000, at dawn about 4 a.m., 21 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) carried out a crack down on the entire village of Wadoora. During the search operation, Army caused a lot of damage to the field crops and private property in the area. After search the army arrested 500 villagers including nearly 100 women. Usually only men are taken in custody during any search operation. However in Wadoora even women were not spared. This has been a major problem for the residents of Wodoora constantly posing a threat to the life and honour of the residents. During any search operation women are taken to the camps and sometimes even detained and subjected to humiliation. Even the material goods are not spared. This has been a major cause of trouble for the villagers who solely depend on their farms for survival. During search cordons army in lieu of finding militants often destroy crops. Although villagers have of and on appealed to the authorities but it seems to have turned to deaf ears.

    Wali Mohammad Mir, a resident of Wadoora is one of those ill fated who lost his entire harvest during a search operation by the army.

    “Being a marginal farmer, I have no other source of income other than my farms. Four years back army crackdown an entire village of Wadoora. During the search operation army caused a lot of destruction to the material goods. They destroyed my whole maize harvest spread on some acres”.

    Having a large family to support, Wali Mir suffers severe hardships to sustain the family. Everyday is getting harder to live. “It will now take another year to produce the harvest. Till then on what will we survive? The little bit of savings we had, has already been spent on the family sustenance and case proceeding. We are left in a lurch we don’t know what to do,” laments Wali Mir.

    Early that year Wali Mohammad Mir filed a case against the army in the Zachildara Police station. A case was also registered in the State Human Rights Commission. However even after many hearings nothing has been done. Earlier RR men tried to bribe Wali Mir by giving him 10,000 rupees in cash and nearly 1500 Kgs of fruit so as not to pursue the case. However on the persistence of Late Gani Lone (Hurriet Leader), Wali Mohammad Mir refused the intentions of the forces and inspite of all hardships pursued the case in SHRC. It has been four years since the incident took place but to this date nothing has been done so far. Instead Wali Mir faces constant threat from security forces who constantly harass Wali Mir.

    This has caused a lot of trouble for the whole family of Wali Mir who finds it difficult to pursue the case due to the financial constraints and the threat from the forces.

ENCOUNTER OR CUSTODIAL DEATH?
HM OPERATIONS CHIEF KILLED IN SRINAGAR

May 6: Police claimed to have killed the Chief Operational Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), Abdul Rashid Pir alias Ghazi Shahab-ud-Din in an encounter at Gurgandi Mohalla-Maharaj Gunj. Refuting the police claim, the HM accused police of killing him in custody after arresting him from Sangrama, Sopore in South Kashmir. HM further appealed the people to observe strike.

    While giving details, the Senior Superintendent of Police Anand Jain said, that on a tip off Ghazi Shahab-ud-Din’s presence in a hideout, police swift into action and cordoned off the Gurgadi Mohalla. During search, the police party came under fire. In retaliation Ghazi Shahab-ud-din was killed.

    Jain said that Ghazi alias Peer Shardar and Abdul Rashid Pir residents of Khunmoh, Srinagar were involved in various militancy related incidents, including Srinagar Fruit Mandi blast on September 9, 2002 in which many civilians were killed. A case vide FIR No 219/03 under section 302, 307 RPC had been registered against Ghazi in police station Parimpora. He was also involved in Rawalpora Bazar blast on December 30, 2003 in which 25 civilians were injured.

    Senior superintendent of police claimed to recover Rs. One lakh cash, one AK-47 rifle, four AK magazines, 60 live AK rounds, one pistol, one pistol magazine, five pistol rounds and one satellite phone from his possession.

    Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, K. Rajendra Kumar said that two cops were injured in the operation. The people of the valley observed a complete shut. In many places of the valley like Safakadal, Nowbazar, Nowhatta, Zainakadal, Maharajgunj, Soura and Khanyar, police resorted to cane charge to get control over the situation.

WE KILLED HIM IN AN ENCOUNTER: POLICE
NO ENCOUNTER, CUSTODIAL KILLING: HM
May 11: Police claimed to kill a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) Divisional commander for Udhampur-Doda, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat alias Khatib Ansari in a joint operation with Central reserve police force (CRPF) at Pandach - Soura in Srinagar. Refuting the police claims as baseless HM alleged that he was killed in custody.

    Describing the killing a major success, the Director General of Police (DGP) Gopal Sharma giving a press conference said, Ansari was killed in an exchange of fire with police and CRPF at Pandach-Soura. He pointed out his death as a severe blow to militancy. A resident of Marmat - Doda, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat alias Khatib Ansari had been very active in the district. He took over as the divisional commander of Doda-Udhampur region in 2003.

    Giving details, police chief said “On a tip off, forces came into action and an ambush was laid in Anchar Pandach) region of Srinagar. Sensing movement the police challenged the militants who started firing indiscriminately. In retaliation, Ansari was killed while, another militant managed to escape",

    Revealing Ansari’s militant background the DG said, "Ansari crossed over to Pakistan in 1994 and returned four months later. In view of his militant activities he subsequently rose from HM battalion commander in 1997 to district commander in 2000 and finally as chief of Doda region in 2003”.

    In a telephonic call to the local news agency, the HM Chief Operations Commander Gazi Musab-u-Din vehemently denied Ansari's killing in an encounter. He alleged security forces of killing him in custody after arresting him. The outfit denying the police claim said, “Ansari was not the Deputy Chief of his organisation as is being projected by the government machinery. Our Deputy Chief is safe. Ansari was our divisional commander", Gazi added.

BANIHAL VILLAGERS ALLEGES CUSTODIAL KILLING

Banihal, May 17: Massive protest marked the alleged custodial killing of a civilian Ghulam Hassan Gujjar by troops at Kawna village of Banihal. The villagers protested by pelting stones at troops, injuring at least six of them.

    According to reports, the villagers fished out Ghulam Hassan Gujjar’s body from Mahoo stream near Agnari hamlet. The villagers alleged that he had been picked up by troops for interrogation. Retreating, the troops reportedly told the villagers that Ghulam Hassan had escaped from their custody and may had fallen into stream.

    Villagers discounted the army’s version terming it a cock and bull story. Taking cognisance of the incident, police started investigation. According to police, Ghulam Hassan was a relative of an active militant and was working as an upper ground worker of militants. The reports suggest that he was picked up at the behest of surrendered militants.

CUSTODIAL KILLING ALLEGED IN SUMBAL

May 27: Eight persons were killed and three others injured in different violent incidents in J&K since Wednesday evening.

    A joint posse of police and troops claimed to kill two militants in an encounter at Rather Mohalla, Asham Sumbal. Locals refuting the police version alleged that, the troops during cordon of Tariq Ahmad Khab’s house, caught hold of a militant Riyaz Ahmad Lone S/o Ghulam Rasool Lone, R/o Zangam Pattan, and allegedly killed him in custody. The locals further alleged that the troops burned alive another militant Muhammad Idrees of Pakistan in a nearby cowshed.

    In another incident at Chansar Kulgam, police claimed to kill three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen. The slain militants were identified as Farooq Ahmad Sheikh alias Muhammad Hussain, Gulzar Ahmad Ganai and Imtiyaz Ahmad Ganai alias Aaqib all residents of Kulgam Islamabad.

    Unidentified gunmen fired at and injured Manzoor Ahmad Wagay S/o Ghulam Qadir Wagay near his residence at Reshipora Hermin Shopian on Wednesday evening.

    Unidentified gunmen barged into the house of a former Special Police Officer, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat s/o Abdul Gani Bhat R/o Kadalbal Pampore last night and shot him dead.

    A released militant Abdul Ahad Mugloo S/o Abdul Gaffar Mugloo was injured, when unidentified gunmen fired at him near his residence at Chrut Beerwah, Budgam. He was later hospitalised. A police constable was injured in crossfire between militants and troops at Asham Sonawari in Varmul district. The constable sustained minor injuries and was later hospitalised.

    A Nepali citizen Haseeb Ansari S/o Gafoor Ansari was killed in an encounter between militants and troops at Sheikhpora Vilgam in Handwara on Thursday. The deceased was a resident of Kamkotran in Ramnagar district of Nepal.

    Unidentified gunmen abducted and later killed Muhammad Azeem S/o Muhammad Sher Mughal, R/o Harmutta, Sector Harni Poonch. The gunmen reportedly slit the throat of the deceased whose body was later recovered by police from a shop at Harmutta Poonch.

DISAPPEARANCES

HARIPORA VILLAGERS PROTEST AGAINST DISAPPEARANCE
BARAMULLA, May 4: Thousands of Haripora villagers in Handwara district protested against the enforced disappearance of a youth, abducted some days back by unidentified persons in civvies.

    The youth was identified as Mohammad Shaban 32, S/o Wali Mohammad. He disappeared after being allegedly taken by some unknown persons in a vehicle bearing registration number JK-01F 9686. Following the continuous disappearance of the youth, locals lodged a protest demanding immediate action by the police for locating the missing youth.

    Superintendent of Police (SP) Handwara Satish Kumar, while talking to the KTNS representative in Baramulla Ghulam Jeelani had said that three police teams had already been deployed to find out the missing person.

STUDENT DISAPPEARS
    In another case of alleged disappearance, a student Ghulam Nabi sheikh S/o Wali Mohammad sheikh R/o Pattan disappeared after leaving his home on 15 April 2004. Since then nothing has been known of his whereabouts. All efforts of the family to locate have turned futile. In this connection report has been filed in concerned police station.

MASON DISAPPEARS
May 11: Even after nine months of arrest of Ghulam Mohammad Mir R/o Delina Baramulla by the 22 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) on 7 September 2003, nothing is known of his whereabouts.

    Reports said, RR party led by a Captain arrested Ghulam Mohammad on September 7, and subsequently concealed his site of detention. Failing to ascertain Mir’s whereabouts, the family lodged a FIR no. 224/2003 us 364, 302 RPC at police station Baramulla. It has been since nine months that there has been no clue about Mir’s whereabouts despite the tireless efforts exerted by his family.

    The District Magistrate Baramulla had assured the grant of relief to the family but nothing has been done hitherto.

YOUTH DISAPPEARS IN CUSTODY
May 20: Forces allege of mysterious disappearance of a youth from their custody at Beerwah. According to reports, a tailor Bilal Ahmad Mir of Ratnusa, Beerwah, was allegedly arrested by the Special task force personnel (STF) on May 17 without any reason. Soon after his escape from the custody, the STF personnel repeatedly raided Bilals residence asking the family to hand over him.

    Parents of Bill accused police of concocting a story against him and claimed him to be still in their custody. Urging higher authority intervention, the family demanded an end to the forces harassment and immediate release of Bilal.

FOUR DISAPPEAR INCLUDING A WOMAN
May 25: Three persons are reportedly missing from different areas of Baramulla district since May 21. They were identified as Nasir Ahmad Lone, 16, s/o Ghulam Mohammad of Dragbal, Imtiyaz Ahmad Khan, 24, s/o Abdul Rashid of Mohalla Jamia and a student Tanveer Ahmad Zargar, 26, s/o Ghulam Mustafa of Bagh-e-Islam. In this connection police filed three different cases.

    A woman identified as Hasina w/o Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh of Zampora Arizal, Beerwah reportedly disappeared mysteriously on May 21 along with her baby. Police has failed to ascertain her whereabouts.

ELECTION BOYCOTT PROVES COSTLY FOR BUDGAM, SHOPIAN INHABITANTS
May 7: Boycotting the parliamentary elections proved costlier to the villagers of Budgam of Central Kashmir and Shopian area of South Kashmir. The residents had to face the rage of security forces, which triggered due to their non-participation in the elections. Protesting against the alleged atrocities, villagers took to streets and demanded an end to unjustified and unwarranted forces actions.

    Reportedly residents in several villages of Budgam and Shopian including Nadigam and Chon were allegedly subjected to grave atrocities by troops, to avenge their non-participation in the elections.

    Reports said, during the intervening night of May 5 and 6, 35 RR troops entered several houses in Chon village in Budgam and "thrashed" the inmates. Discontented, they again cordoned the village next day and severely battered dozens of innocent villagers. A number of residents including women were injured in the incident. Locals alleged that the clothes of Taja w/o Mohammad Yousuf Sheikh, Zeba w/o Mohammad Yousuf Sofi and Haleema w/o Ghulam Qadir Sofi were torn off. This led to a massive demonstration on May 6 against the troop’s terror mostly targeting the women folk.

    Several reports from Dachnipora area in Anantnag and Kanalwan village alleged troops of undue harassment for defiance during the elections. The residents also accused forces of entering their houses and beating the inmates.

NEWSMAKERS BECAME NEWS
9 INJURED IN BLAST
May 3: Nine persons including eight media personnel were injured, in a mis-targeted grenade explosion at Press Enclave, Pratap Park in Srinagar.

    Eyewitnesses said, at around 4.10 p.m. there was a powerful explosion outside the residential quarter of journalist-turned-politician (People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Baramulla-Kupwara Lok Sabha constituency) Nizam-u-Din Bhat, which forms the media hub. The grenade resulted into injuries to nine persons including seven reporters and a photojournalist.

    Interestingly, at the time of explosion neither the candidate nor any of his family members were present in the quarter, as after his announcement to join PDP, the family had shifted to security zone.

    The injured were identified as Asian Age and Greater Kashmir photojournalist Habibullah Naqash, Greater Kashmir editor Fayaz Ahmad Kaloo, PSO, Abdul Hamid, Bashir Ahmad, Mohammad Rustum, Dr Ishrat, Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Abdul Rashid, Mohammad Sultan, and Manzoor Ahmad Parrey.

    The injured were immediately moved to hospital where doctors attending on them described their condition as stable. Besides human injuries, a vehicle JK01E-0389 and a scooter were damaged in the blast and windscreen of another car was broken. The wall of the PDP candidate's quarter was also partially damaged.

    For the intensity of the blast, heard not only in the vicinity of Press Enclave but also in the adjoining areas, police and security officials reached the spot. They conducted a thorough search in Nizam-u-Din quarter and adjoining flats.

12 SCRIBES INJURED IN POLICE HOOLIGANISM
JAMMU, May 13: Discharging their duty as media observers, 12 scribes including female journalists were injured in a police action outside the vote counting centre at the Government Polytechnic College and then at Bikram Chowk in Jammu.

    According to reports, Police resorted to a lathicharge and brutally assaulted female scribes at the counting centre in the Government Polytechnic College on May 13. Over a dozen journalists were injured in the assault.

    The trouble started just as the Returning officer was about to announce the result of the election. The office was however commandeered by supporters of various political parties waiting for the result. With no place inside, the policemen closed the doors of the office. Scribes who since morning had been waiting for the result to be announced asked the policemen to open the doors, which they refused. In the heated arguments that followed, the policemen started pushing the scribes back who however stood their ground. The policemen led by SP Manmohan Singh and SP (South) Manohar Singh, pounced on the journalists resorting to a cane charge showering vile abuse on the journalists including the women scribes.

    This angered the scribes who however forced their way into the office of the returning officer protesting against police action. The returning officer who was in the middle of announcing the results stopped the announcement even as the scribes who were inside the office joined their colleagues outside.

    Demanding action against the policemen they decided to block the main road outside leading to a traffic jam. Divisional Commissioner Jammu Braj Raj Sharma and IG Jammu PL Gupta rushed to the spot and tried to assuage the scribes who however refused to budge till action was taken against the policemen. The blockade was however lifted only after the Director General of the State Police Gopal Sharma contacted the scribes and promised action.

KASHMIRI SINGER’S DEATH OR MURDER: CBI MAY PROBE
Chandigarh, May 5: The Punjab and Haryana High Court asked the Punjab Government to inform by May 26 if it would hand over the probe into the alleged death or murder of renowned Kashmiri singer Ghulam Hussan Sheikh at Mukerian railway station in July last to the CBI or the same be done through a High Court order.

    This was done by the division bench of the Chief Justice Binod Kumar Roy and Justice Surya Kant during the resumed hearing on the matter which came before it on a suo moto notice taken of media reports in this regard by Justice M. M. Kumar and also on the letter which Huma Sheikh, the daughter of the deceased singer, had written to the High Court seeking intervention and proper investigation in view of suspected foul play.

    Sheikh, a programme producer with the Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, was on board along with his daughter and a friend on the Shalimar Express on his way from Jammu to New Delhi on the fateful night carrying nearly 60,000 in cash. It had reached Mukerian Railway Station around midnight on the Pathankot-Jalandhar section of Northern Railway. They had gone off to sleep but woke up to realise that Sheikh was not there in the compartment.

    Subsequently, the police told the daughter that her father had possibly fallen off the train as the police had cremated the body within a few hours. In response to the High Court notice, the State Government through an Inspector General (IG) police submitted the person had died of an accident.

    However, it was subsequently pointed out by Rajvinder Singh Bains advocate appointed to assist the Court in the case, presented some pictures as also the post mortem report to contend that it was a murder and not an accident. He also pointed out that it was not clear why the police hurriedly cremated the dead body as the deceased was a Muslim and accordingly should have been given a burial. The matter would come up again before the bench on May 26 by when the Punjab Government was expected to make up its mind on the CBI probe into the death or murder of the Sheikh.

CRUEL DOGRA MAHARAJAS’ LEGACY: FORCED LABOUR IN AJAS
Srinagar, May 12: In Ajas Bandipora and its adjacent villages Matipora and Chinpuzpora, Army troops forced villagers to haul ammunition and other supplies uphill Langmarg forest area where army was constructing a makeshift camp, said a delegation of Ajas residents.

    The residents said that troops made threat warnings using mosques loud speakers, everyday asking young villagers to ‘volunteer’ themselves for the forced labour or face the consequences. Each day nearly 30 villagers were made to force labour for two to three days alleged the residents.

    "They knock at our doors in the night and demand at least one youth from every family. They threaten to make our lives a hell if we don’t comply," said a resident of Ajas on anonymity, for fear of reprisal. Women resisting forced labour were manhandled, the residents alleged.

    Some of the people taken day back for the forced labour were identified as Mudasir Ahmad, Abdul Rashid, Muhammad Akbar, Abdul Salam, Shabir Ahmad, Sajjad Ahmad and Ghulam Ahmad.

    The Station House Officer of the concerned police station conveyed the complaints of the residents to the army officers. However, in the night some of the complainants had to face the wrath of the troops when their relatives were marked for forced labour by the troops, the residents said.

    Raising voice against the inhuman treatment Ajas observed a complete strike in protest. Protestors demanding an end to the forced labour claimed the mistreatment, as the legacy of cruel Dogra Maharajas.
The Deputy Commissioner Varmul however assured the residents that the forces’ camp would be shifted from the area, reported a local news agency.

REIN IN IKHWANI, DELIVER PROMISES: SHRC ASKS RULING COALITION
May 14: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) recommended stringent disciplinary action against the Ikhwani-government gunmen involved in Human rights violations in the state.

    Delivering the judgement in a rape case of 16 year old girl Razia, who allegedly self immolated out of humiliation after she was raped by an Ikhwani Manzoor Ahmad Dar alias Cobra on March 10, 2004, the Chairperson SHRC Justice A. M. Mir termed the incident as ‘glaring example of the high handedness of the government gunmen’.

    Drawing the attention of the government towards the atrocious acts of the Ikhwani, the Chairperson in the judgement stated, "These gunmen are wielding guns under the authority of the government and live in places duly secured. With the patronage of the government, the power of gun has gone to their heads. They think they are above the law and pose to be law unto themselves."

    SHRC took suo moto cognisance of report published in Greater Kashmir on March 10, 2004. It was reported that an Ikhwani Manzoor Ahmad Dar alias Cobra raped a 16 year old girl Razia d/o Ghulam Nabi Dar of Naidkhai Sumbal in district Varmul, after abducting her form her home. The girl later committed self-immolation suicide.

    The Commission instituted the case under file no Com 84/2004 titled "Suo moto cognisance regarding rape of 16 year old girl by Ikhwani of district Varmul Vs. State government of Jammu and Kashmir and others (respondent).

    The Commission asked Superintendent of Police Ganderbal to file a report in this regard. The SP in its report to the Commission stated that FIR no. 37 of 2004 was registered in Police Station Sumbal against the accused and challan would be produced in the competent court for trial of the offence.

    The Commission, however, fears that in such cases ‘faulty investigation and the rigmarole of procedural law often resulted in the acquittal of the accused in such cases’. The Commission asked PDP led coalition to deliver on its promise of ‘restoring peace and dignity to the people’.

    The Chairperson in the judgement recommended to the government to streamline the ‘services’ of the Ikhwani by subjecting them to rules of discipline and accountability.

    The SHRC has recommended government to initiate disciplinary proceedings under service laws against Ikhwani who have been charged for criminal offences. The Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police were asked to implement the order in a month.

J&K GOVT ORDERS PROBE INTO ALLEGED EXCESSES BY FORCES
SRINAGAR, May 7: The J&K Government ordered probe into the alleged excesses by the security forces at Choon village in Budgam district. An official spokesman said that probe was ordered after people took to the streets on May 6, alleging security forces deployed in the area of harassment.

    Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Hakim Mohammad Yaseen directed Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Khawaja Bashir Ahmad to get the incident investigated immediately. He also directed Bashir appointed Additional Deputy Commissioner to probe the allegation and submit the report within 15 days.

    The minister expressing concern over the incident directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to take up the matter with the Corps Commander of 15 Corps, so that the guilty would be taken into custody.

ARMY ORDERS ENQUIRY
May 18: Army claimed to have initiated a court enquiry against their driver, who recklessly over ran a retired teacher Master Ghulam Hassan Bhat s/o Ghulam Qadir of Khrewan, Malpora.

    The incident took place at Malapora on Srinagar - Jammu highway, when one of the army drivers recklessly over ran a civilian at Srinagar - Jammu highway on May 12.

    As per the defence statement, expeditious strict disciplinary action would be taken against the driver if found guilty. A court enquiry initiated after the incident, is in progress.

GIRL KILLED, ANOTHER HURT IN EXPLOSION
May 1: A girl was killed and another injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion at Deyalgam - Anantnag of South Kashmir. Reports revealed that an IED was concealed in the boundary wall of the house of retired teacher Ghulam Mohammad Wagay. As the family members were sitting in the compound of the house, the devise went off, injuring critically the daughter and daughter-in-law of house owner.

    The injured were rushed to hospital where Ghulam Mohammad’s daughter Naza succumbed to her injuries. The condition of his daughter-in-law Yasmina was however stated to be stable. The bomb disposal squad later defused another IED planted near the wall.

GRENADE INJURES 3 WOMEN
May 7: Three women received multiple injuries, when militants hurled a hand grenade towards the house of a Congress leader Mohammad Shafi Banday at Shopian in South Kashmir.

    Reports said, targeting Congress leader militants hurled a hand grenade at his residence. The grenade however missed the target and exploded in an adjoining house. In the explosion three women suffered injuries. All the three were moved to hospital.

POLICE FIR IN AIR TO DISPERSE MOB
Sopore, May 1: Police resorted to fire after failing to pacify a crowd, demanding repair of the link road to Shankergund. Annoyed by the callousness of the concerned authorities to maintain link road, some locals blocked the highway, linking the apple rich town with the frontier district of Kupwara. This led to the disruption of traffic for sometime.

    The irate mob pelted stones on the police, which had come to pacify the crowd. In the stone pelting incident, one police constable identified as Ali Mohammad was injured. Irked by the stiff resistance of the mob, police fired some shots, which dispersed the crowd.

AERIAL FIRING TO DISPERSE PROTESTORS IN BIJBEHARA
May 7: Police resorted to open fire to disperse a mob, protesting against alleged police atrocities at Sirigufwara area of South Kashmir. Reports said, police personnel allegedly dragged out two drivers Mushtaq Ahmad Shah and Nisar Ahmad Najar of their buses and beat them ruthlessly. Defying the police action, amidst anti police and SOG slogans, a large number of people including drivers held massive demonstration. Enraged by the public protest, police and SOG personnel’s ruthlessly beat the protestors, injuring dozens of them.

    In another incident, police reportedly intruded into the house of one Ghulam Mohammad Wagay and smashed the material goods. They also thrashed his guests who had assembled there for his daughter’s marriage.

    The incident sparked protest by the locals against the high handedness of the police in the form of a procession. As the protestors reached near the Sakhras Bridge, police personals resorted to baton charge and open fire to disperse the agitated mob.

    The situation pacified only on the intervention of some top police and civil administration officials who assured an enquiry and immediate action into the incident.

    Meanwhile, people of Mastpora, Keller in Pulwama district registered a protest against the alleged forces excesses. Locals of the area alleged troops of beating people after alighting them from the buses and made to cover a distance of one kilometre by foot.

MOB ALLEGES ATROCITIES
May 6: Police fired tear smoke shells to quell the protestors, demonstrating against the alleged atrocities committed by the security forces deployed in Budgam and Qazigund.

    Reports revealed, piqued by the atrocities committed over them by the troops, the residents of the twin villages resorted to demonstrations. Police went into action and succeeded in disbanding the demonstrations.

BATAMALOO RESIDENTS PROTEST ARRESTS OF YOUTH
May 17: Police resorted to force to disband the mob protesting against the arbitrary arrests of some youth by unidentified Gypsy borne gunmen on May 16, at Batamaloo, Srinagar.

    Details revealed, hundreds of people took to streets and lodged strong protest against the illegal detention of four youth by vehicle borne armed men. The protestors comprising mostly women tried to march towards the Civil Secretariat but were stopped midway by the police.

    According to the residents, unidentified gunmen travelling in a white Maruti Van bearing No. JK01D-2238 entered into a STD booth at Firdousabad at noon on Sunday (16th May) and asked the owner Sheikh Muhammad Ilyas to board the vehicle. On refusal, the armed men in civvies abducted Ilyas.

    The men after abducting the booth owner, apprehended a student and mechanic Muhammad Rafiq Mir working in one of shops at Batamaloo. The gunmen again appeared in the area next day and picked up Showkat Ahmad Bhat, a tea stall owner.

    Following the arbitrary arrests, the residents staged a demonstration and demanded the immediate release of the arrested persons.

    Inquiring the whereabouts of their wards, the parents of arrested youth called on the police helpline. The personnel responding the call admitted their arrest by the BSF and further said that all the arrested were with BSF posted at Pantha Chowk about 9 km away from Batamaloo.

PROTEST, ARRESTS ON CM’S VISIT
May 8: As soon as the highly escorted J&K Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Syed reached the hilly town of Kishtwar area of Doda district; the inhabitants turned violent, pelting stones amidst anti-government slogans. The town also observed a complete strike in protest against the subsequent action of police, in which some farmers were arrested and beaten up ruthlessly.

    Reports revealed that the CM along with the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Ghulam Nabi Azad was there to address a public rally in support of Congress candidate Choudhary Lal Singh. However, sensing hostile attitude of the locals, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) activists decided to cancel the programme citing the killing of a Congress worker as an excuse.

    Addressing series of public rallies at Doda and Bhaderwah, the CM along with PCC Chief Ghulam Nabi Azad reached Kishtwar by road on the evening of May 7. While, on his way to Jammu, some agitating landowners whose land has been acquired by the government for Dul Hasti Project tried to stop the CM's convoy and pelted stones on his cavalcade. The protestors accused CM of deceiving them on the instructions of the local leaders. “We stayed for whole night so that CM could give hearing to our long pending grievances including demand for jobs in NHPC but he cheated us and left us high and dry" said a local.

    Reacting upon the arrogant attitude of the CM, the residents shouted anti- government slogans and attacked his convoy and some of the youth manhandled the police officials including SHO Kishtwar and local leaders.

    Police cane charged the mob, resulting into injuries to a number of agitators. Soon after the incident, all establishments were closed and whole town observed a complete bandh. Meanwhile, some residents alleged that soon after the CM left the town, police swung into action and picked up a number of farmers, who were allegedly leading the protest. The farmers were severely thrashed in custody.

105-YEAR-OLD BEATEN UP, PROTEST IN TRAL
May 19: People in large number went on streets to protest against the alleged beating of people particularly a 105 years old centurion by 42 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) troops in Tral area of South Kashmir.
Reports from a local news agency KNS said security forces of 42 RR dragged people out of their homes during a crackdown and subjected them to severe beating. Those beaten include Ghulam Hassan Dar, 105, Muhammad Ismail Ganai (80) and 90-year-old Chowkidar Ghulam Hassan Ganai and Abdul Ikhlaq Kumar (70).

    The protestors including women amidst anti-Indian and pro-freedom slogans held a march through the streets and demanded an end of what they called brutalities.

DEAD BODY RECOVERS
May 1: Police claimed to recover an unidentified body from Langanbal-Pahalgam. Police are making sufficient efforts to ascertain the identity of the deceased.

    In another incident at Darigam Budgam, militants hurled a grenade towards the house of Ghulam Ahmad Baba. The grenade exploded near the house and caused some damage to the structure. However, no casualty was reported.

BULLET RIDDEN BODIES RECOVERED IN SOPORE
May 7: Two bullet-ridden bodies were recovered by the state police from Rebbon area of Sopore in North Kashmir. The duo was kidnapped by the gunmen and subsequently killed.

    Official reports recount, the duo identified as Abdul Hamid Bhat and Mohammed Sadiq Bhat were kidnapped by suspected militants in the evening of May 6 and subsequently killed. Next day, their dead bodies pumped with bullets were recovered from Rebbon Sopore. Police took cognisance of the incident and initiated investigations.

INFORMATION EMPLOYEE'S DEATH MOURNED
May 9: While performing the election duty a renowned employee of the Information department lost his life, when militants allegedly hurled a grenade on a polling station in Doda.

    Identified as Abdul Majid Bhat alias Raz Bhadarwahi, people from all walks of life paid rich tributes to the departed soul. In a condolence meet of the staff of the District Information Centre, Doda under the chairmanship of District Information Officer, Doda, Zahoor Ahmed, expressed grief over the sad demise of Abdul Majid Bhat. Two minutes silence was also observed in the honour of departed soul.

    Meanwhile, the employees of Information Department at Jammu also condoled the tragic death of Majid and paid homage to the deceased whom they described as martyr who laid down his life in action. Condemning the killing of yet another martyr of the department, Director Information, K.B. Jandial conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family. Expressing grief, he said “we stand by the family in this hour of grief. The tragic death of Abdul Majid is a loss not only to the family but also to the department”.

CRPF OCCUPY SCHOOL BUILDING, BEAT STUDENTS AND HEADMASTER
Srinagar, May 11: Hundreds of people in Takanwaripora, Srinagar, on Tuesday held protest against the CRPF personnel, who allegedly beat up two students and headmaster of the school.

    Sources said that on Monday, the clothes of two students of eight standard Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar and Samir Ahmad Bhat got stuck in the barbed wire spread by the 87 Bn CRPF men (who occupy eight rooms of the 14-room school building) around the school premises. As the students were extricating themselves, the CRPF men caught them and thrashed them severely.

    Hearing screams of the students, the headmaster of the school Hamid Ullah Khan rushed to their rescue but he too was beaten severely and dragged to some distance. The incident scared the parents to an extent that they have taken their wards off the school.

    On Tuesday, the residents including women held a protest demonstration against the indicted CRPF troops. The headmaster led by a delegation of teachers and parents apprised the Divisional Commissioner of the incident, who promised prompt action.

    The CRPF's occupancy in the school building has been a major concern for the students, teachers and the parents. Time and again the matter was raised with the concerned authorities, but without results.
The incident evoked strong reaction from the locals, who demanded immediate eviction of the CRPF men from the school building. A CRPF spokesman when contacted said the incident would be investigated.

VILLAGERS PROTEST AGAINST POLICE ATROCITY
Banihal, May 11: Hundreds of villagers protested against the alleged beating of innocent civilians by a Special Police Official at Shagan polling station in Banihal. The incident took place on Monday May 10, which reportedly forced the villagers to boycott the elections.

    The villagers came out on the street protesting against the alleged accesses by the police personnel during the polling. Led by the Numberdar of the village, the protestors also called on the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and SHO Banihal and apprised him of the matter. The police officer responded with assurance of prompt action against the erring officials.

    While talking to Greater Kashmir - local English daily, the villagers said that SPO Des Raj posted at poling station Shagan stopped Muhammad Sharief s/o Ghulam Naik r/o Lobhlotha when he was coming out from the polling station after casting his vote. Unprovokably, the police personnel allegedly started beating Sharief with his rifle butt. When the Numberdar of the village Gul Muhammad intervened, he was also given severe thrashing by the SPO. Some 23 RR troops and state police personals standing nearby reportedly came to the rescue of the villagers. The villagers alleged the SPO of motivating and pressurizing villagers to vote for BJP. The villagers boycotted the polling and took out protest demonstration. The situation pacified only after the senior officials of 23RR assured the villagers that the matter would be brought to the notice of higher police authorities.

PULWAMA STRIKE
Srinagar: Thousands of people took to streets in Banderpora, Pulwama to protest against the alleged custodial killing of 18-year-old student Suhail Ahmad Wani s/o Ghulam Hassan Wani at New colony, Khrew Pampore. The people while, chanting anti-India slogans contested the army version that the deceased was militant. "Suhail was an innocent student who was killed in a fake encounter by troops and later dubbed as a militant" alleged the protestors. A complete strike was observed in the Pulwama against the killing. Thousands of people attended the Nimazi-Jinaza (Funeral) of Suhail at his Banderpora residence in Pulwama. The protestors demanded probe into the incident and action against the erring officials.

PROTEST AGAINST ‘FORCED LABOUR’
May 11 Handwara: Residents of Kandi, Handwara protested amidst slogans against the troops for allegedly subjecting them to forced labour.

    The people of the area alleged that troops were forcibly using civilians to work for them for building bunkers in the Ajas Tanya Batu forests in Handwara area. "We are dragged from our houses in the morning and are made to work at stretch till evening by the troops," alleged the villagers. They further added that their repeated pleas to stop the inhuman behaviour were falling deaf ears.

BAR FILES PETITION
May 11: The High Court Bar Association (HCBA) Tuesday, filed a petition in the High Court seeking production of the detenues lodged in Jodhpur jail, Rajasthan; Hazari Bagh jail, Jharkhand; Sangoor jail, Punjab; Waransi jail, U.P; Central jail, Gowhati; Central jail, Agra; Delhi Tihar Jail, Delhi; Central Jail, Kothbalwal, Jammu; and Central jail Srinagar. The petition would come up for hearing on Wednesday.

SHOPIAN PROTESTS OVER EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLING
Srinagar 16: Thousands of people staged protests against the killing of Firdous Ahmad Lone s/o Ali Muhammad Lone by 44 RR troops at Ganawpora Shopian on May 15.

    According to local news agency KNS, the residents of the area took out a huge procession, demonstrating against the killing of a youth. The demonstrators threatened not to bury the deceased’s body, until the soldiers held responsible for Firdous killing were not booked.

YOUTH BEATEN IN LAL CHOWK
May 16: People held massive demonstration against the alleged thrashing of a youth by BSF personnel at Lal Chowk here.

    According to United news service (UNS) Sajad Ahmad Dar s/o Muhammad Amin Dar of Maisuma was severely beaten by BSF personnel, when he objected to the soldiers' highhandedness. The soldiers, according to the eyewitnesses, broke the windshield of Sajad's car, to which he objected. The soldiers got furious and beat Sajad causing injuries to him. Sajad was later taken to hospital.

    The bystanders agitated by the unruly attitude of the soldiers, started demonstrating, resulting in suspension of vehicular movement. A case has been registered in the Kothi Bagh police against the soldiers.

PROTESTS AS TEENAGER SHOT DEAD
5 KILLED IN VALLEY
SRINAGAR, May 16: Five persons were killed in various militancy related incidents in Valley, while protest demonstrations were held at Shopian against the killing of a teenaged boy by the security forces.
A defence spokesman giving details said, “Following a tip off, 5-Para unit of army launched an operation in upper reaches of Goran village at an altitude of 3100 meters. Army challenged the hiding militants, who started firing on the troops. The fire was retaliated and in the ensuing encounter four militants were killed. However the identity of the slain militants could not be established”. Army further claimed to recover large quantity of arms and ammunitions including two AK 56 rifles, one pistol, and one rocket propelled grenade launcher and one radio set.

    In another incident, large number of people took to streets at Shopian and held protest demonstrations against the killing of a teenaged boy Firdous Ahmad Lone at Ganawpora village. Reports said the deceased was playing cricket along with some other youth. On seeing security forces, in fear they tried to flee. The security personnel opened fire on them killing Firdous on spot. His killing sparked protest in whole Shopian Township.

    Militants, police said, fired a UBGL grenade towards a security force bunker at Mohalla Sheikh Sahib, Takiabal-Sopore, which exploded causing injuries to two jawans.

ARMY DENIES REPORT
SRINAGAR, May 16: Reacting hard to the reports published in various local newspapers against the bonded labour by forces in Ajas, defence spokesman in a press statement vehemently denied the reports as baseless.

    In a statement he said the security forces were not forcing labour from any person.
According to him security forces establishing camps in general area were hiring labour for logistic purposes as per the existing rules. The defence spokesman claimed that the allegation of the people was instigated by "anti-national elements" consequent to killing of number of militants in the same belt to whittle the effort of security forces.

FIR AGAINST RR FOR ILLEGAL DETENTION OF YOUTH
Srinagar, May 19: Police station Batamaloo registered an FIR against 29 Bn Rashtriya Rifles (RR) personnel for illegally detaining and thrashing three youth of the area.

    According to a police official, Showkat Ahmad Bhat, a tea stall owner, Sheikh Muhammad Illiyas, a mechanic and Muhammad Rafiq Mir apprehended by armed men in civvies on Sunday, were handed back next day in a critical condition by the RR troops.

    "After complaints from their parents and subsequent demonstrations by the residents, police contacted all the agencies, but received negative response from them", said the official.

    At first, the police station declined to accept the youth, who was in a critical condition. But insistence by troops and the admission in writing that they arrested the youth and detained them at the Haiderbaigh Pattan camp, the officials accepted them and handed them over to their parents. Police filed FIR against the personnel for detaining the youth without providing any information to the concerned police station.

COUPLE AMONG 8 KILLED IN VALLEY

SRINAGAR, May 15: A village head, a couple and four militants were among the eight people killed while security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in Kashmir overnight.

    Security forces averted a major tragedy when they detected an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), weighing 2.5 kg, in a passenger bus during a routine search in Srinagar last evening, an official spokesman said.

    The spokesman added that one suspected person was taken into custody for questioning. Unidentified militants abducted a village head, Sonaullah Ganai, at Bazipora in Sumbal area of North Kashmir from his residence and subsequently shot him dead in a nearby house late last night.

    Militants entered another house in the same village and shot dead one Abdul Rashid Bhat and his wife Saleema. Militants shot at and injured Mohammad Maqbool Naikoo, another village head at Batgund-Duroo in South Kashmir district of Anantnag. The injured village head was hospitalized.

    Militants also shot dead a surrendered militant, Ali Mohammad Wani, at Magam in Central Kashmir district of Budgam last evening, the spokesman said. Militants abducted one Irshad Ahmed Magray, a student, from his Saderpora house in frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara last evening.

    Official sources said security forces recovered two pistols, two UBGL, 10 detonators, four hand grenades, one wireless set, 60 rounds and two AK butts from a house at Athura Donilalpora in north Kashmir district of Baramulla. Security forces also blasted the house and arrested one person, the sources added.

    A BSF spokesman said troops of 77 battalion carried out a search operation at village Lanchoo in Kokernag area of Anantnag district late last night following a tip-off. During the operation, troops recovered 2.2 kg of deadly RDX, seven hand grenades, seven UBGLs, one remote control receiver unit, ten magazines and 217 rounds.

JEM 'COMMANDER' AMONG 2 ULTRAS KILLED IN MAHORE
Woman, ultra killed in Rajouri

Jammu, May 9: Two Jaish-e-Mohammed militants including a district commander were killed in Mahore area of Udhampur district early this morning, While another ultra of some unknown group was killed in Rajouri during the intervening night of May 8.

    Two jawans were reportedly killed as lightning struck at Narh Post Faisalabad in Surankote. Some un-identified gunmen in Chring area of Thannamandi gunned down one woman during the past 24 hours. In a fierce gun battle between the security forces and militants in wee hours, at least two militants including a district commander and area commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit were killed in Mahore area of Udhampur district. According to reports, the slain militants had sneaked from upper reaches of Pir Pangal into the Mohra area to disrupt the election to be held May 10.

    When the information regarding the presence of militants in the areas was brought into the notice of security forces, they launched a massive operation in the area. The whole area was cordoned. On noticing the militants in the areas, security force personnel opened indiscriminate firing. In the ensuing gun battle, two hard-core militants of JeM were shot dead.

    The defence wing identified the slain militants as Tariq Hussain-District commander JeM and Maqsom area commander of JeM. The recoveries made from the site of encounter included two AK rifles, nine AK magazines, 105 AK ammunition, 1 radio set, three hand grenades, five coins of Pak currency and Rs 2110 Indian currency.

    Meanwhile, security forces killed one militant at Bharat Galha under the jurisdiction of police station Rajouri late last night. The identity of the slain ultra and the recoveries made from his possession could not be ascertained as the operation was in progress.

    Reports said that acting upon a tip of, regarding the movement of militants in the area, security forces launched a search operation to eliminate the hiding militants. The operation was launched late last night. During the searches, security forces made contact with the militants and in the ensuing gun battle one militant was killed, while the others possibly managed to flee from the spot.

    Suspected militants entered into the house of Akbar Bi W/o Late Abdul Gani R/o Churing Thanamandi and shot her dead. As the information was brought into the police notice, they rushed to the spot and initiated preliminary investigation. Two security force personnel were killed as lightening struck last night at Narh Post Faisalabad in Surankote. According to police, the jawans were on sentry duty, when the incident took place. The identity of the victims could not be ascertained when the reports last came in.
In continuation of the Surankote operation in which three militants were killed last night security forces made additional recoveries including 67 rounds of AK ammunition, one sniper magazine, 7 rounds of sniper ammunition, 16 pencil cells, one letter pad HEI and one matrix sheet.

    While in continuation of the Rajouri operation, last night in which one ultra was killed security forces claimed additional recoveries’ including one radio set and one hand grenade.

4 HURT IN BIJBEHARA EXPLOSION
5 killed in State

Srinagar, May 30: Four persons, including a selection grade constable sustained injuries when militants lobbed a grenade on the police station Bijbehara on Sunday.

    According to reports, the grenade lobbed at 2:30 pm missed the intended target and exploded on the road injuring four persons. The injured were identified as selection grade constable Ghulam Muhammad, Ali Muhammad, ex-servicemen presently working as guard with the local telephone exchange, Shabir Ahmad Mir s/o Ghulam Rasool Mir of Semthan and a 5-year-old Owais Ahmad Ganie of Chanigund. All the injured have been hospitalized.

    Militants hurled a grenade at the patrolling party of 52 Bn BSF at Yaripora Kulgam on May 30. However, no loss of life was reported. Five persons including two militants were killed in different militancy related incidents in the State since Saturday evening. A joint posse of troops and police today claimed to kill a militant at Mandak Bass Khari, Banihal. Police also claimed to have recovered arms and ammunition from the slain militant whose identity could not be ascertained.

    Police recovered two bodies from the upper Ranjna Kchemal Goth area in Doda district. The deceased persons were identified as Muhammad Nazam Din S/o Ghulam Muhammad and Abdul Rashid Kamal S/o Kancha both residents of Doda. One militant was killed in an encounter with troops at Katarga, Mahore Udhampur on Saturday, police said. The identity of the slain militant however could not be ascertained.

    Police claimed to have arrested one Hizbul Mujahideen militant from Gujjar Pati, Bandipora. The police also claimed to recover arms and ammunition from the militant. Police recovered a bullet-ridden body of Khurshid Dar son of Fateh Muhammad of Wullarman, Pachihard Varmul, from Haigam Sopur. Police on Saturday claimed to recover two SLR rifles from village Chillipora, Zainapora in Pulwama district.

GRENADE EXPLOSION INJURES 4

May 30: Four persons including minor sustained injuries, when militants allegedly lobbed a grenade on the police station Bijbehara on Sunday.

    According to reports, at around at 2:30 pm a grenade reportedly hurled by militants missed the intended target and exploded on the road, injuring four persons. The injured were identified as selection grade constable Ghulam Muhammad, Ali Muhammad, ex-servicemen presently working as guard with the local telephone exchange, Shabir Ahmad Mir s/o Ghulam Rasool Mir of Semthan and a 5-year-old Owais Ahmad Ganaie of Chanigund.

    Immediately, after the confusion ended the injured were taken to hospital. Police today recovered two bodies from the upper Ranjna Kchemal Goth area in Doda district. The deceased persons were identified as Muhammad Nazam Din S/o Ghulam Muhammad and Abdul Rashid Kamal S/o Kancha, both residents of Doda.

    Police recovered a bullet-ridden body of a civilian from Haigam Sopur. The deceased was identified as Khurshid Dar S/o Fateh Muhammad of Wullarman, Pachihard Varmul.

MOLESTATION ATTEMPT BY BSF MAN

May 30: A timely alarm saved a housewife at Shankerpora hamlet in Nowgam from a Border Security Force (BSF) man who barged into her house and reportedly tried to molest her.

    A local news agency UNS reported that the BSF man, identified as Foji Singh of 92 battalion, entered into the house of Muhammad Maqbool and tried to molest his wife Saja. The woman raised an alarm, which invited attention of family members and neighbours, forcing the BSF jawan to run away from the scene leaving behind his service rifle. The jawan was not properly dressed.

    The incident evoked strong protest from the residents of the area. On Sunday police seized the rifle of the BSF jawan and registered a case against him under FIR bearing number 34/2003 and started investigation.

TEACHER KILLED IN BEERWAH

May 28: A group of unknown gunmen killed a teacher in Beerwah, Budgam after forcing their entry inside a School, where he was working.

    Official reports said, some unidentified gunmen forced their entry into Islamia Educational Institute at Chanthan-Chackpora in Beerwah. They abducted a teacher identified as Zahoor Ahmad Wani from there and shot him dead.

    Reports said, security forces and Special Operation Group (SOG) had raided the house of the deceased last year and had claimed to recover a pistol and 40 rounds. Following the raid he was arrested and later released.

MIRWAIZ’S HOUSE ATTACKED UNCLE SHOT AT

May 29: Militants hurled a grenade at the heavily guarded house of Hurriyat leader and Chairperson Awami Action Committee (AAC), Moulvi Umar Farooq, while another group shot and critically injured his uncle Moulvi Mushtaq also affiliated with AAC inside a mosque.

    "The grenade exploded in the front yard, damaging windowpanes. No one was however, injured in the explosion. At the time of incident, Umar was in hospital attending to his uncle, while, Umar's mother and wife were inside the house.

    Downtown Srinagar, regarded as the stronghold of the Mirwaiz family, observed complete shut down after the incidents. Umar’s uncle, Mushtaq had just started offering afternoon prayers at Molvi Masjid in Rajouri Kadal, when unidentified assailants entered and fired several shots at him, sources said.
Unconscious and critical, he was rushed to hospital revealed the eyewitnesses.

    The AAC is an important constituent of the Ansari Hurriyat group that had entered into the parley with the Indian government for a resolution to the Kashmir dispute. A newly formed militant outfit Save Kashmir Movement claimed the responsibility for the attack. The attack received widely condemnation including the prominent militant outfits operating in Kashmir.

DATE	EXTRA JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS & CUSTODIAL KILLINGS	WOMEN KILLED	CHILDREN KILLED	ALLEGED DISAPPEARANCES
May 1	-	1	-	-
May 4	-	-	-	1
May 6	1 CK	-	-	1
May 7	-	-	-	-
May 11	-	-	-	1
May 12	1 EJE	-	-
May 14	1 CK	-	-	-
May 15	1 EJK	-	-	-
May 16	-	-	-	1
May 17	1 CK	-	-	-
May 20	-	-	-	-
May 23	-	-	-	2
May 25	1 CK	-	-	-
May 27	1 CK	-	-
May 29	-	1	-	-
Total	7	2	0	6

WOMEN KILLED

May 1: A women lost her life while another injured critically when and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) tied to their residential house at Dayalgam, Anantnag in south Kashmir went off.

The IED official sources said, was hiding near the house of a retired teacher Ghulam Mohammad Wagay. The identity of deceased has been identified as Naza while the injured were identified as Yasmeena daughter-in-law of Chula Mohammad. However, the cause and reasons could not be established to target the residential house of the master.

May 29: Three memners of Mohammad Amin Khan’ a family including a woman were killed when some unknown armed men forced their entry inside their residential house at Brtas, Beerwah in Budgam district.

The identification of woman was ascertained as Hafeeza wife of Mohammad Amin of Beerwah. Official sources suspected militants behind these killing.

KILLINGS IN THE MONTH OF MAY

May 01: A teenaged girl Naza and three militants were killed in different militancy related incidents while police recovered a dead body of an aged person from pahalgam.
May 02: One Militant, one civilian and a soldier were killed in separate incidents of violence
May 03: Two Harkat-tul-Mujahideen Militants and a civilian were killed in different incidents of violence.
May 04: Three unidentified Militants were reported dead in several Militancy related incidents.
May 05: A RR soldier , two militants and a civilian were killed separate incidents of violence.
May 06: Seven unidentified Militants and a Lashkare-e- Toiba Militant who was identified as Abu Sufyan were killed in different incidents of violence while Police recovered a dead body from beerwah.
May 07: Congress District President, Jameel Ahmad khan and Two civilians were killed in different militancy related incidents.
May 08: Five unidentified Militants and Three Security personnel were killed in separate incidents of violence while a civilian was hanged to death by some unidentified persons.
May 09: Four civilians, One BSF Personnel, One Militant and an information Officer were killed in different militancy related incidents.
May 10: Four Militants, One soldier, two civilians and a worker of People’s Democratic Party were killed in different incidents of violence
May 11: One Civilian and Four Militants including a Hizb Divisional Commander were killed in different militancy related incidents.

* : Same Day Two Police personnel identified as Mr Rafiq and Firdous Ahmad masquerading as militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba barged in to the residence of a villager, asked for money and on refusal started firing killing one person.

May 12: Two Militants and an informer of security forces were killed in separate incidents of violence.   May 13: Two militants including a District Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in different violence related incidents.
May 14: Three Militants belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen group were killed in Darshan Forest area in Doda District.
May 15: Four Civilians and a Militant were killed in different militancy related incidents. While a youth was killed by security forces when he was playing cricket with some other youth. The deceased has been identified as Firdous Ahmad.
May 16: Four unknown Militants, one Hizb-ul-Jamait-e-Islamia militant, One Harkatul-Mujahideen militant, one soldier and a civilian were killed in different militancy related incidents.
May 17: Three persons including a surrendered militant and two civilians were killed indifferent violence related incidents.
May 18: Two soldiers, one civilian, Two Lashkar-e-Toiba Militants and Two unidentified militants were killed in separate incidents of violence.
May 19: Three unidentified militants , Two soldiers and three civilians were killed in different militancy related incidents.
May 20: Two soldiers and Five civilians including two sons of an Ex-army man were killed in different militancy related incidents.
May 21: One Hizbul Mujahideen militant , One Lashkar-e-Toiba militant , a retired Superintendent of police and two civilians were killed in separate incidents of violence.
May 22: One Jaish-e- Muhammad militant and an activist of CPI(M) who has been identified as Ghulam Mohd Dar of kulgam were killed in different violence related incidents.
May 23: Thirty Three BSF personnel were killed when a bus carrying BSF personnel and their family members   was targeted by Hizb militant group. Meanwhile Four militants, One soldier and a civilian were killed in different incidents of violence.
May 24: Two Jaish-e-Muhammad militants, two informers of security personnel and Five civilians were killed in different incidents of violence.
May 25: One civilian, Four soldiers and an activist of People’s Democratic Party were killed in different violence related incidents.
May26:   Four soldiers, Two militants and Two civilians were reported dead in different incidents of   violence
May 27: Two unidentified militants , Three Hizbul Mujahideen militants, one civilian , one former SPO and a Nepali citizen were killed in separate incidents of violence.
May 28: Three civilians and Two soldiers were reported dead in various incidents of violence.
May 29: Six Civilians including a women and a Three year old boy were reported dead in different violence related incidents across the state.
May 30: Two unidentified militants , Two civilians and a soldier were killed in separate incidents of violence
May 31: One LeT militant, two Hizb-e-Islami militants, one unknown militant, a civilian and a soldier were killed in separate incidents of violence.

WOMEN KILLED

KILLINGS IN THE MONTH OF MAY

SOLDIERS

May 1

TOTAL

DATE	SOLDIERS	MILITANTS	CIVILIANS	OTHERS
May 1	-	3	1	1 Police found a decompose body
May 2	1	1	1	-
May 3	-	2	1	-
May 4	1	3	-	-
May 5	-	2	1	Police found a dead body
May 6	-	7	-	Police found a dead body
May 7	-	1	2	1 Political activist
May 8	3	5	1	-
May 9	1	1	4	1 Information Officer
May 10	1	4	2	1 Political activist
May 11	-	4	2	-
May 12	-	2	-	1 security forces informer
May 13	-	2	-	-
May 14	-	3	-	-
May 15		1	5
May 16	1	6	1	-
May 17	-	-	2	3 including a surrendered militant
May 18	2	4	1	-
May 19	2	3	3	-
May 20	2	-	5	-
May 21	-	2	2	1 Retired Superintendent of police
May 22	-	1	-	1 Political activist
May 23	34	1	1	-
May 24		2	5	2 informers of security personnel
May 25	4	1	1	1 Political activist
May 26	4	2	2	-
May 27	-	5	2	1 former SPO
May 28	2	3	-	-
May 29	-	7 (1 woman)	-	-
May 30	1	2	2	-
May 31	1	4	1	-
TOTAL	60	84	48	16