Voices Unheard: A Magazine
Published By
Kashmiri Women’s Initiative for Peace and Disarmament (KWIPD)

        July – September

Editorial:           WOMEN’S INITIATIVE

    Human Rights are universal – violence against women has made human rights abuse universal. Women from different countries and continents, from diverse religions, cultures and social backgrounds educated or illiterate, rich or poor, whether living in the midst of war or in times of peace, are bound by a common thread of violence – often at the hands of the state or armed groups, the community or their own family.
Harassment and molestation by security officials or armed combatants and non-combatants are inflicted on millions of girls and women every year. During conflicts violence against women is often used as a weapon of war in order to dehumanise the women themselves or to persecute the community to which they belong.
Violence against women is not confined to any particular political or economic system but is prevalent in every society in the world and cuts across boundaries of wealth, race and culture. The power structures within society, which perpetuate violence against women, are deep rooted and intransigent. The experience or threat of violence inhibits women everywhere from fully exercising and enjoying their human rights. In proliferation of small arms, the militarization of many societies and the backlash against Human Rights on the context of war on terror is only worsening the plight of women.

    In war times the violence committed on women are coupled. Women are not just direct victims of violence but indirect which is quite immense and frequent as compared to the direct violence. They are victims of being mothers of disappeared or lost sons, victims of being daughter of disappeared or lost fathers and brothers, victims of being wives of same or at least one of them. All this has led to a direct impact on their lives. With nearly a major proportion suffering from psychological disorders yet they haven’t lost a hope to live to fight injustice, to expose the hidden truth, to stand up and struggle for their rights.

    Looking through the glass of spite we may all find these destitute women a frail creature’s burdened over society or somewhat untouchable figures but a close scrutiny is all to know their strength and potential with which inspite of all odds they stand up against the challenges for their rights.   

    In Kashmir, with 16 years of conflict women have undergone numerous violation inflicted on them by the state as well as non state actors. However this has not let down their aspirations although to certain extent it did wobbled their own selves. There are women who have been struggling for years to either locate their close one, or to fight against the inhumane acts committed on them. There are women who have come forward against all odds, struggling to get heard and to seek justice for the unending crimes committed upon them at the hands of the State as well as non-state actors. Even in the face of hardship, poverty and repression, women are initiating a struggle to prevent violence against them. Of which some glaring examples are of Parveena Ahanger who has been fighting for over 14 years for her disappeared son, Razia Sultana – a daughter who has been physically assaulted a number of times by forces continues to search for her father taken by the security forces for nearly seven years and Shameeli – a rape victim fighting for justice. All these suffering women actually symbolise hope and determination with which they move to seek justice. Breaking their silence, an initiative has been taken against oppression and subjugation.

    The greatest challenge to this scourge has come from the individual women and women groups who have stood up and spoken out, often at the cost of their lives. They have organized themselves to demand justice and to expose and counter violence against women. They have called for their human rights to be respected, protected and fulfilled. The best example of which could be of Aasia’s contribution to the women sufferings in Kashmir, which for long remained obscured under the social and political misnomers. She dared, which even men folk fear to explore. In times of peace as well as war, women face discrimination and violence at the hands of the state, the community and the family.

    It is in view of the increasing violence, women throughout the world have started organizing themselves to expose and counter violence against women. Inspite of the social stigmas and limited options available they have brought the violations, which are characteristically hidden from scrutiny into the public arena.
Violence against women is universal but it is not inevitable. It is in our hands to stop it. We can end violence against women.

A MOTHERS UNENDING WAIT FOR HER SON   --Tabasum Ishtiaq

    “I am too weak to burden the responsibilities of lives attached to me than why did God put me to test” cries out Musmati Zoona. Mother of 5 sons and 1daughter (married), Zoona (45) lost her husband four years back. Since then life became excruciating. The whole family responsibility shouldered on her. All day she would do menial jobs and somehow sustain her family. This didn’t however last long. With the increasing responsibilities, life got harder and harder to be kept going and Zoona’s condition started deteriorating. Aware of the problems faced by the family, Zoona’s children tried hard to support their mother. They would do the household, while she would work and earn the living. Day in, day out, Musmati’s condition worsened and she was left bedridden. Owing to the family responsibilities, Zoona’s eldest son Mushtaq Ahmed Sheikh left his studies and started working as a carpenter. It was Mushtaq who supported the family. Few years later Mushtaq got married and started living separately. However he never withdrew his support. With two families to support and a slow work phase it became difficult for Mushtaq to strive. At the same time Mushtaq’s colleagues started working with Superintendent of Police Kupwara -Ashkur wani, Mushtaq for the growing problems along with his brother in law too joined them. Mushtaq along with his colleagues worked with the SP for three years and later joined 21-army camp, which was at steps distance from their residence. Initially Mushtaq’s family resisted hard stopping them but it was already late.

    Talking to Voices Unheard, Zoona said, “We all tried to persuade them but it was too late. Mushtaq told me that as they were already nominated, so leaving this work would serve no purpose instead they would become targets of militant”.

    Meanwhile in a blast at Wodpora, two senior officers of Army were killed apart from massive injuries to a number of army personnel’s. This infuriated army personnel and the same day they took Mushtaq and Manzoor along with four other persons with them on pretext of checking the area. It was two days after that Mushtaq along with other personnel’s came back. In between one of Mushtaq’s colleague Ramzan Banday got missing. Even after searching for him nothing was known and his sister in the Zachildara camp lodged FIR. Three months later Ramzan returned back in a suspicious manner. As all the villagers went to inquire his whereabouts, the army personnel’s who didn’t allow them to meet Ramzan and told villagers that he had been to Jammu – the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir for some official purpose, stopped them amidst. All the villagers got sceptic of this yet they remained silent. It was only three days after Ramzan’s return that Army came to the respective residences of all the five persons working with 21 RR except Ramzan at around 10 am and informed that the major was calling them. Mushtaq along with other colleagues went to the camp. “We were having tea when at 10 am; some army personnel came to our house and asked for Mushtaq. They said Major had some important work for him”, said Mushtaq’s wife Fahmida.

    Adding further she recalled, “It was nearly 3 pm and I was getting anxious of his safety. As the camp was quite close, I kept watching the camp. It was around 4 pm that Mushtaq along with others came out. They all looked pale and weak. Without saying anything they boarded the wanton stopped nearby and fled to some unknown destination.”

    Initially the family thought that they might had gone for some work purpose, but when the duo and other persons didn’t came back, the family was sceptic, and then went to the camp where they were told that all of them had gone for crackdown purpose. Failing to ascertain the whereabouts for several days, the family apprehensive of their safety continuously persisted the army for their whereabouts. Irked by their persistence, the 21 RR personnel said that all of them had got disappeared. It came as a shock for all the concerned families. Two days after knowing of their disappearance, Mushtaq’s family filed an FIR in Handwara police station. On the same day army came to their residence and asked for weaponry. Sensing foul the family refused to give them as they thought that they would label them as militant and later on kill them. The very next day family went to the police chowki Handwara and handed over the weapons to DSP Shan. Since then, DSP Shan would often call the family and claim of having information regarding Mushtaq and Manzoor. Every time the family already in financial crunch would somehow arrange money and other things for the officials as bribe to give them their whereabouts but they always faced dejection. “We were informed by the DSP Shan that he is in Papa 2 (Interrogation centre) but when we reached there it was all useless, even all our belongings were snatched”, said Zoona.

    It has been nearly five years; the family for lack of sources has become completely shattered. Further Zoona’s daughter came back from her paternal home along with her 2 months old daughter Raheena Manzoor. This further burdened the family economy.

    Fahmida resides separately with her four sons. Her only support is from her father whose only source of the income is from charity. Both the families are living in grave condition. After Mushtaq’s disappearance, his brothers for lack of financial support left their studies and started working as labourers yet their condition is very bad. The family filed a case in the State Human Rights Commission. During case proceeding Ramzan threatened by the army, lied before the judge of his disappearance and further said that the five alleged to disappear were not working with army. Four months after giving his statement, an Ikhwani killed Ramzan.

    SHRC directed two-lakh rupees compensation to the victim families and job to one of the family members. But till now the family has received nothing so far. Moving from pillar to post, the family in dire need of resources, was further told by the Tehsil commission office that they won’t get two lacs but only one and that too after they produce their death certificates. “We don’t know whether they are alive or dead. Where will we get death certificates? We are in dire need of resources. But the money won’t compensate the fate of my disappeared son. I will do anything to relocate my son –he is my hope. Whether he is alive or dead the truth should come out and the culprits punished. That will be the only justice to it”, says Zoona.

AILING, LONELY MOTHER’S WAIT FOR JAILED SON Asma Dhaar

    Wrinkled face, damp eyes and a long stick all embolise Hajira’s agony. Shabbily dressed and withered self, sitting on the pavement of court, Hajira’s eyes fixed on the entrance desperately look for someone. As soon as a police bus carrying detainees of Kot Balwal jail drove into sadder court, the eighty-year women rushed towards it. The detainees apparently familiar with the aged women hugged her and reassured her, “mother he is alright. His health is improving. Don’t worry”. Hajira wasn’t convinced enough though the positive words from the detainee about her son duly brought some relief and she wandered her way back home.

    “Why shouldn’t I worry says Hajira. Living in a two-room house at Malbagh Dargah Hazratbal, she says her son Mehraj-ud-din was taken into custody two years ago and detained in Kot Balwal. Four years ago, her husband Ghulam Mohideen Sofi, a tailor died after a protracted illness and so Mehraj was her only support as her other children were married and lived separately. Talking to Voices Unheard Hajira recalled that some government personnel’s in civvies arrested Mehraj outside his house at Malbagh. It was only after 2-½ months search that they came to know that he was lodged in Soura police station. The family approached Soura police station and met him. Afterwards he was taken to Srinagar court to get remand. The Judge denied further remand and ordered to send Mehraj to Srinagar Central Jail for 8 days. After 8 days he was to be again produced before the Judge. But instead of sending him to the Central Jail, the police station Soura approached to Ganderbal court and got remand for 8 days. After 8 days they again took him to Srinagar court and produced him before the judge. Luckily the judge came to know that he was not in the Central Jail, and that they had taken him to Ganderbal court. A case was registered against the Soura Police station for “contempt of court”. Meanwhile police managed to book Mehraj under Public Safety Act (PSA) and sent him to Jammu Kot Balwal jail for 2 years. The DSP Soura threatened Hajira for pursuing the case against Soura police station. Since that day she never went to court. After 2 years, when Kot Balwal jail sent Mehraj to Hariniwas Srinagar, his mother went to Hariniwas to receive her son, but at Hariniwas she was told that her son would be handed over to police station Soura and released there. At Soura police station they denied his presence. Tired of moving from pillar to post without any financial support, she protested along with some relatives at Pratap Park Srinagar. During protest she was arrested and kept in jail for 2 hours by the Kothi Bagh police station. Later she came to know that he had been sent back to Kot Balwal Jail Jammu.

    Since his detention she has no one in this world. It were the lawyers at District court who last year collected Rs. 3000 for her visit to Kot Balwal. But then his son’s sight was so painful experience for her. “He complained of severe pain in the abdomen and hide his left arm. Perhaps it was amputated. The amputation was the result of severe torture in custody. His condition was terrible and he wept”, sobs mother.
   
    She is not keeping well and the walking stick she is holding tells it all. With a strange glow in her eyes she betrays a fond wish. “Before death I once want to see his face. I can die any moment but I don’t want to die without his being near me”.

    According to sources, Mehraj was first arrested on detention order of district Magistrate Srinagar vide DMS/ PSC/40 dated July 2, 2002 on charges of being an active militant of Hizbul Mujahideen. Apart from other charges, the detention order also read that he had fired a rifle grenade towards a BSF post in Soura on April 13, 2002 and lost his left hand when a grenade he was carrying exploded. “The activities of Mehraj were highly pre-judicial to the security of the state. They may get bail from the court… under such circumstances it has become imperative to detain him under Public Safety Act 1978”, the order reads.

    However the mother through a counsel challenged the order in the High Court, which in its judgement on November 20, 2003 quashed the detention order, and directed the state to release Mehraj. But he was not released.

    Dejected mother approached the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). In his three-page judgement SHRC, Chairman Justice A. M. Mir on April 23, 2004 said maximum time of detention under safety act is two years and the detainee has already completed this period. “It is interesting to know that an unknown militant hurled a grenade at Sheikh Mohalla Soura and after visiting the spot police found human phalanges and they took Mehraj into custody as his hand was amputated, the order read.

    Reminding the state its healing touch philosophy, Justice Mir had observed, “The boy has lost his father. His mother is an old and infirm lady waiting for her end. Above all, government has promised a healing touch for those who suffered a lot and it should free the boy, whose mother is ready to give an undertaking that her son would not participate in any anti-national activity”.

    The order bars the state from passing a fresh detention order against the boy. But instead of releasing the detainee, the district magistrate came out with another detention order charging him of being involved in relocation of arms and ammunition of Jaish e Mohammad outfit after the death of its commander Gazi Baba. Aggrieved mother again moved to the court and talked to a lawyer who has challenged a fresh order in the High Court.
    Meanwhile with the support of walking stick, the mother frequently visits district court in a hope that someone would tell her something about her son. “I am an old and infirm woman but I don’t want to die before I see him (her son)”, prays the mother, who often spends her day without eating anything, as she has no money.

A WOMAN’S INITIATIVE TO LOCATE HER FATHER  -- Tabasum Ishtiaq

    There are women who despite tremendous sufferings have courage to stand up and start their lives again. Although it is easier said than done, however with all their strength and determination, they have done it before and are doing it now. Among many such faces, one exemplary face is of Razia Sultana. In her primes, least deterred by the torture inflicted on her by the forces, she fights back even more strongly than before. Daughter of Raja Ali Maradan Khan r/o Booniyar Bali Islamabad, Razia is the eldest of the family of two sisters and one brother. Married to a local youth, she lived happily until 13 May 1990 when 3rd Sikh regiment allegedly picked up her father between the check post and fruit forest nursery. The whole incident took place when he was returning home from his co-operative shop at Boniyar around 6:30-6:45 p.m.

    Eyewitnesses said that some gypsy borne security personnel’s in civvies picked him up. Since that day nothing was known of his whereabouts. Perturbed over the fate of her father, Razia Sultana searched for him everywhere in almost all Jails throughout India. After long search, she was asked by DSP in Kot Balwal Jail as who she was looking for. Razia replied that she was looking for her father Raja Ali Mardan. This infuriated the DSP who replied, “why are you searching him, he has earned a lot, go and enjoy that amount. Don’t try to waste your time here”. On persistent pleas of Razia, he further asked, have you met him before? She said No. The DSP then talked with SP who refused to give her permission to meet her father. Later DSP said that he was not here. Later she came back to Srinagar and met IG Police and some ministers. “They assured, that they would see to it. But till date nothing happened”, says Razia. Five years later in 1995, 38 RR arrested her. They put her for five days in their custody. “During these five days they tortured me and beat me ruthlessly in which I got serious head injury for which I was stitched upon in the 38 RR dispensary”. After torture, they handed her over to police station Gantmullah. “I asked SHO Gantmulla – Gul Mir to release me, as I plead I was innocent and there was nothing against me. But to this, he asked me to give 50000 rupees. Unable to pay I was sent to JIC Baramulla for 14 months. There I was kept in a cell and tortured with electric shocks. Then after 14 months they shifted me to Central Jail Baramulla under PSA for 24 months”.

    After 24 months she was released and however as soon she came out of the jail, the SP Munir Khan rearrested her. They put her again in JIC Baramulla for three months. During this period, they started torturing her with electric shocks and verbal abuse. After her release 3 months later, she stayed at her maternal home as her husband deserted her. During her detention, her brother got married and settled separately. Disillusioned and dispirited with no male support, Razia started her poultry farm. Earlier she had been working in a social welfare department on adhoc basis. But when police arrested her, she lost her job too. Further the day she got released, coincided with the remarriage of his husband. With all these sufferings she continued to live for her mother and two sisters. “With so much disrepute and social rebuke, any other girl in my circumstances would have preferred to die than live a life of utter disgrace. But I know I am right and I have to live for my family and my daughters who are still with their father”, said Razia. Till 2003, she was in her hometown. On 29 April 2003, STF (Air cargo) Srinagar arrested her from Boniyar and took her to Srinagar. Inspector Jeel Khan tortured her and made her nude and started beating on her legs and thighs. Then after two months they handed her over to Boniyar police station. There they detained her for 1 month. She was released on June 21, 2003. Earlier for her head injury during a torture, she went to Jammu to meet Dr. Susheel Razdan for treatment. But CIK and IB arrested her at Jewel chowk in Jammu on 12 June 2004. She was taken to Talab Tillo ladies cell JIC. And there she was tortured and released after one and half week. Now she received a letter from State Home Minister, who booked her again, on charges of supporting militancy.

    She has been booked under FIR 36/2003 under 121- 212 RPC 13 under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. In the FIR it has been alleged that she is harbouring militants and is actively involved in the unlawful activities. The case has been filed in district session court Baramulla. She is facing the trail there.
Razia states that she has been persuaded by different intelligence agencies in Uri for working for them, which she has refused. Even she was persuaded to contest the assembly and parliamentary elections held in 2002 and 2004.
    Though the case has been filed in the court last year but now special secretary to government has issued notification vide no. home/pros- 45/2004 dated 26-7-2004 where the governments have expressed their satisfaction that the prima facie case has been made against the accused. Now therefore in view of the power conferred under section (16) under the unlawful activities prevention act, the government has given consent for the prosecution.

IKHWANI TERROR IN BEERWAH  -- Aadil Nazir

July 16: A notorious group of renegades allegedly let loose reign of terror in Wooach, Rawalpora, Arizal, Zoohga and other adjoining villages of Beerwah Budgam in central Kashmir. Villagers allege, that it seems the group has gained free license to terrorise people including the women folk.

    The incessant threat to the lives and modesty of villagers, apart from the callousness of the authorities, unremittingly compelled them to migrate to some other areas. Talking to Voices Unheard, Rashid Bhat (Name changed) – a local who was severely beaten, humiliated and threatened. He revealed, “ it is a group of 25-30 persons active in the area since last seven years. During this period they have resorted to all sorts of misdemeanour. The non-seriousness and silence of the administration have further encouraged them in their misdeeds. Their terror is not only confined to extortion, loot and thrashing, but at nights they wear masks and equipped with arms roam with the intentions of harassing people. At times, demanding food and shelter for a night or so. On refusal they forcibly enter the house and beat the inmates to pulp. The continuous terror of these renegades even compelled the villagers to migrate to safer places in order to avoid any wrath”.

    Among the group, four are brothers of whom one is associated with the 34 Rashtriya Rifles (RR). The kingpin of the group Mushtaq Ahmed Mir (34), alias Kasha taking advantage of his affiliation with the 34 RR is more dreaded than colleagues. Although the villagers have approached the concerned officials several times but they were always dejected. The major concern of the villagers has been the group’s attitude with the women folk especially with the young girls. Rashid Bhat, fathering five children including three daughters, is fearful of renegades over the modesty of his young daughters. Since he was the person who often resisted the group when they asked for shelter. Being a labourer by occupation, Rashid is not in a position to move from the village to avoid the renegade’s fire.

    Talking further, Rashid added that the villagers were threatened of dreadful consequences if they raised voice or approached any Human Rights Organisation or newspaper to bring their crime into light. Taking bold initiative, finally he decided of his own to expose the terror by the group in the area to bring the culprits to book. As he believes that exposing their crimes is the only option left for the villagers”. “Our silence is encouragement to their crimes. It is the high time to appeal for an action and highlight their atrocities for the sake of village safety”.

FALSE HOPE OF MISSING SON’S RETURN, SUSTAINS FAMILY
Asma Dhaar

    Last year Hamida Begum dreamed that a saint gifted her apple and bread. On the following day she was happy. For some elderly people from her village told her that the dream meant that she would soon learn the whereabouts of her brother Bashir Ahmed Sofi who was detained by the Border Security Force.
“The interpreters of the dream asserted that apple was an optimistic sign that her brother was alive”, she said. However it was not long before she was disappointed.

    On the night of June 17 last year Bashir (25) was picked up from his residence at Daribal Naidkadal in downtown Srinagar city. The residents had staged massive protest demonstration against his arrest for several days. “We were assured by Mr Jala, then SP city that Bashir was safe and would soon be released”, the family said. Due to old age and some ailments our parents couldn’t manage to trace Bashir, which added to our misery. My brothers and sisters are too young, so I am myself pursuing the case”, said Hamida.

    She had sought intervention of Chief Minister, DGP and some other higher officials and ministers over the disappearance, but their promises bore no fruit. On July 13 last year at martyrs’ graveyard, I met some political activists who gave me a patient hearing and promised that my brother would be traced out soon. But when this year I again tried to approach them the same day at the graveyard his security guards stopped me and even beat my sister”, she complained.

    The family claims to have learnt now through some sources that Bashir was picked up by 61 Bn BSF.
Last month they had approached Khem Lata Wakhlu who is an MLA and General Secretary J&K Pradesh Congress Committee, Wakhlu had given them a letter addressed to Dr Ashok Bhan, ADGP (CID) seeking his intervention. The letter reads, “He was arrested by the personnel of 61 Bn BSF on June 17 2003. I therefore earnestly seek your intervention and request you to help the family, to meet the boy for once so that their worst fears are eliminated.

    However despite repeated attempts the family was not given an appointment with Bhan. Preserved in a bag containing documents about Bashir’s disappearance, Hamida has preserved the letter like a talisman.
When contacted a senior BSF official said, “He did not know about Sofi. This issue had last year also come to our notice but we had already said that, Bashir was not picked up by BSF”.

NEWS BRIEFS

MOLESTED HINDU GIRL CRIES FOR JUSTICE

Aug 5 Srinagar: Shankri Devi, a young widow and mother of three minor children from Batote area of Jammu’s district, had another tragedy in store after her husband’s death. She was humiliated and her modesty allegedly outraged by the men in uniform. Devi is now knocking the doors of State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) for Justice.

    Recalling the incident, Devi told the Commission that on May 20, last year, the SHO Batote, Inspector Ajay Sharma, “slapped and abused” her accusing her of theft. “He dragged me and bundled me in his vehicle. Hearing my cries a 75-year physically challenged old man JK Kitchloo tried to rescue me from the SHO but he was severely beaten by his escort”, she said. Devi suffering from ulcer and anaemia said she was detained for 5 Hours in the police station Batote and interrogated and beaten by the SHO in the absence of policewomen. “Even her parents were not informed”, she told the Commission. She said the locals including lawyers and the NGO’s rescued her. However no FIR was registered.

    After her release, Devi had to seek the medical treatment and was advised bed rest. “No senior police officer heeded to my complaints against the SHO so I am applying courts of law” she said. She approached Judicial Magistrate in Batote on May 20 last year and filed a case against the accused SHO and his colleagues. “Justice delayed is justice denied. Now enough is enough. I don’t have any hope of getting justice. Kindly discontinue the ongoing inquiry” She stated in her plea to SSP Ramban adding “neither can I afford nor tolerate mental or Physical torture and social stigma of visiting police offices of courts”.

    “I was issued summons to personally appear before SDPO in order to pressurise me to with draw the case. Every alternate morning, I had to travel to a distance of 110 Kms in the highly militancy infected Banihal.” Devi said. The High court JMIC had directed the DIG Doda, Udhampur range for necessary action vide office no 57/cr SJB 20-05-2003 who further asked the SP Ramban Danish Rana for enquiry. Ironically instead of inquiring the matter case was handed over to the accused SHO.

    The case of the complainant is that in charge police station Batote had assaulted and outraged her modesty. She continues to be under police pressure,” observed SHRC Chairperson AM Mir. Meanwhile, the commission has directed the IG Jammu zone to furnish a detailed report and asked the DIG and SSP Batote to ensure that the complainant does not labour under any intimidation or sense of insecurity.

FIGHTING AGAINST ODDS – A WOMAN’S STRUGGLE FOR VICTIMS OF ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE

    The arduous 14 years have not shook Parveena’s hope who inspite all odds continues to struggle not for herself but for all those victims of enforced disappearance.

    Fourteen years ago, her teenaged son was arrested and subjected to enforced disappearance. During the intervening night of 17-08-1990and 18-08-1990, Javed Ahmed Ahanger, a student of 11th standard was arrested from Batamaloo. An enquiry constituted by the honourable high court established Javed’s disappearance and also identified the persons in this crime against humanity”. However till date nothing has been done to put to justice the accused. Earlier it was all grief and she seemed to collapse down any moment. However destiny had something else in store for her. Strongly putting herself, she with all convention and determination stood against the involuntary disappearances that have become a major force tactic. Totally illiterate the lady balances her personnel and professional in a dignified way. Parveena manages her household responsibilities, attends meetings of the relatives of the disappeared persons, goes to court to pursue her case and visits distant foreign lands to narrate the woeful tale of her ill-fated homeland. Language is no barrier when it comes to human suffering. Although she knows only Kashmiri yet she has efficiently put the grave issue of enforced disappearance not only nationally but also internationally. Her emotions, her concern, her zeal to fight, all speak her heart out.

    Tearful, she strongly conveys the message effectively sometimes through an interpreter and at times through the strongest medium available to Human being: tears. “Every day I die one hundred times. But my tears are my inspiration they resurrect me every time I seem to sink down in the gross human suffering in Kashmir over the past 15 years”.

    Parveena is an epitome of selflessness and commitment to a cause. According to her she was offered one million rupees, two lacs by the state govt and eight lac by the Union of India, to withdraw the case from the high court. But she refused and in a strong statement conveyed, “We are living in an era when human are not put to sale. I want justice not money”.

    Although the government of India refused to grant sanction to prosecute the culprits who arrested her son, her perpetual fight for justice forced the state government to allow criminal proceedings against them. The case is now pending adjudication in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Srinagar. When asked about her missing son, the mother overwhelmed is not ready to accept her son’s custodial death. I know he is living and will come back some day. Had he died, I would have felt the pain. My heart assures me about his safety all the time”.

    Parveena has heap of solidarity notes from members of Amnesty International and Other International Human rights groups. “These notes make me feel good. We are not alone in our fight against enforced disappearances. There are people who take cognisance of our sufferings.

POLICE TORTURE GIRL SAY IT WAS CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY

    The Kotranka police may not be rapid in bringing the culprits to justice, but they are very swift in victimising the innocent and native people of this backward area on petty excuses. Sometimes they are so rapid in their action that they do not even bother to verify the antecedents of the victim.

    One Parveena Akhter d/o Hassan Mohammad, r/o Rehan of Tehsil kotranka had to face wrath of the police, when she was going to home from Rajouri town few days ago. The police allegedly arrested her and after giving severe thrashing, asked to produce her identity. Surprisingly police was searching an accused girl having the same but they realised this after torturing the innocent girl. Talking to a local daily, Parveena Akhter (22) years old girl said that while she along with her father was going back to her home at kotranka from Rajouri in a tempo traveller, the police stopped her half way and asked her come down from the vehicle. “I was taken to the police station for questioning where the Station House officer itself thrashed me”. She said adding that two other police personnel were assisting SHO. After severe thrashing, the police allegedly started investigation and recorded statements from the girl.

    “I was asked to disclose the name and when I replied Parveena Akhter, there were shocked at my reply. The girl added that they had mistaken her for another girl wanted in connection with some offence.
The matter was brought into the notice of senior Superintendent of Police Rajouri, SA Mujataba who reportedly called the SHO. The SHO publicly confessed the crime and was asked by his senior to reach an agreement with the victims family, after tendering unconditional apology but the SHO failed to satisfy the party, forced the family members of Parveena to approach court for seeking justice.

MOTHER, SISTER SHOT AT BY MILITANTS IN RAJOURI

Jammu, Sep 2: Ultras shot dead a youth while his mother & 10-year old sister were injured when they refused to guide them to safer area at village Bada Dharman, in Dhara Bhagla area of district Rajouri last night. According to the defence spokesman, a group of heavily armed militants entered the house of Abdullah in village Bada Dharman in Kotranka tehsil of Rajouri district last night at 2030 hours. The militants, spokesman added, asked Mohammad Akram, 18 s/o Mohammad Abdullah to accompany them & guide them to safer area. On refusal of Mohammad Abdullah to send his son with them, the militants started beating Mohammad Abdullah’s wife Billo, 35 & his daughter Maniza Begum, 10.The militants later shot at them inflicting deep wounds to Billo in her stomach & grievous wounds to 10-year old Maniza. The militants dragged Mohammad Akram out of his house & shot him dead. The militants later fled from the village taking advantage of darkness. Security forces & police rushed to the village. They launched search operation to flush the ultras out. Injured Billo& Maniza were shifted to the Sub District Hospital Kotranka for treatment.

WOMEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Srinagar July 2: Shamima Akhter w/o Mohammad Maqbool Bhat was allegedly taken into custody by the 5RR troops on July 1, 2004 on pretext of having links with militants. After brief interrogation by the RR troops, she was handed over to the state police.

WOMEN INJURED IN POLICE ACTION

Poonch July 4: Two women were allegedly injured in a police action at Torun Wali village of Tehsil Surankote about 32 kilometres from Srinagar.

    Residents alleged that members of village defence committee of Marha village and the special group of police members allegedly entered the houses in Torun Wali village about 3 am on Saturday. The government gunmen started beating everyone coming in their way without sparing women and children.
The SOG personnel’s demanded whereabouts of the hideouts of militants, which the villagers refused to, have. This irked them and they started ruthlessly beating villagers including the women. When contacted, the SSP Poonch expressed his ignorance about the incident. The two women injured have been identified as Nigana w/o Bashrat Ali and Sigara w/o Liaqat Ali.

TEENAGE GIRL TORTURED FOR 3 HOURS

Handwara, Jul 5: Thousands of villagers protested against the severe thrashing of a teenage girl, allegedly by the state police. According to local news agency KPS, SDPO Handwara, Altaf Hussein and a lady SPO, Haleema, picked up a 10th class student Haseena d/o Ghulam Muhammad Dar of Zachaldara, Handwara from her school at Wazuldara in the same area. The girl was taken to the Handwara police station and subjected to harsh physical and verbal thrashing without any reason.

    The girl has been admitted in SMHS hospital with severe injuries. The villagers accused the SDPO for unreasonably torturing the girl, thereby injuring her critically. The villagers while demanding immediate suspension of the SDPO asserted the girls innocence and pointed out that the police officials for no fault of hers had deliberately targeted her. Denying the villagers claim, the SDPO charged the girl of a murder of CRPF man Mushtaq Ahmed. Protesting consequently for several days, police failing to pacify the crowd resorted to force, injuring 33 persons including 17 female students. The police also arrested many students. The injured where shifted to Srinagar hospital for treatment. Moreover traders and Bar association also participated in the demonstration and demanded probe into the incident.

    Later in the day protestors assembled again outside the DC office Kupwara along with some injured students and demanded strict action against sub- inspector Tanveer Ahmed and SDPO Altaf khan. The people threatened to continue with the protest till the culprits involved are brought to the book.

    Intervening in the incident, Minister for forest and environment, Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Sofi raised the issue of the torture with the Director General of Police and sought transfer of the erring cop. He demanded an inquiry by some senior police officer into the incident. The minister also condemned the police action against the peaceful demonstration. Later DIG Varmul visited the area to take stock of the situation.

CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN ON RISE: 480 CASES REGISTERED IN 2003

July 10: Crime against women is on rise. At least 480 cases of rape, molestation, eve teasing, kidnapping and abduction have been registered in Jammu zone alone in the year 2003.
Though the number is increasing, police believes that the figure is just tip of the iceberg as in most of the cases women prefer not to file any case due to various reasons including the stigma attached with the matter.
Official figures reveal that about 480 cases of crime against women were registered in the year2003. Of these, 308 cases were worked out and challenged in the court of law, while 80 cases are under investigation and 14 cases of rape and molestation remained untraced with 76 cases not admitted.
Giving details of the cases, a police spokesperson said that 113 cases of rape were registered last year out of which 68 cases stand worked out, police said that at least 19 cases registered in various police stations were found baseless and not admitted.
Police also claimed to have registered 77 cases of molestation in the year. Out of these, 68 cases were worked out and challenged in the court, while investigation on three cases. Police also claimed that four of the cases were found baseless, while eleven cases against women remained untraced during the period.
Police spokesperson said that 163 cases of kidnapping were also registered in Jammu zone last year out of which 55 cases of abduction stand worked out while 47 cases are under investigation. At least 11 cases remained untraced while the police due to the lack of evidence did not admit 50 cases.
Police also reported 125 cases of eve teasing were also registered in the zone, 117 other cases were worked out and challenged. Police also claimed that five cases are still under investigation while three of such cases were not admitted.

MILITANTS CHOP OFF EARS, NOSE, AND TONGUE OF WOMAN

Srinagar July 11: In a spine-chilling incident, militants spared the life of a woman but chopped off her ears, nose and tongue after abducting her last week from Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. A police spokesman stated this during a press conference in Srinagar.

    Identified as Mariam, militants allegedly abducted her from her house in Manoh village in Doda district of Jammu region on July 4 and let her off last night after cutting off her ears, nose and tongue, the spokesman said. The victim in a state of trauma was shifted to a hospital.

RAPED DODA GIRL NARRATES WOEFUL TALE

July 31: An eleven year old girl raped by the troops of 8 Rashtriya Rifles in Koontwala, Kishtwar in Doda district related the details of the brutal act of Indian troops to a delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League (JKML), which met her on July 24 at Doda District hospital, a spokesman of the league said in a statement on July 30.

    A patrol party of 8 RR abducted the girl Shabnum bano, (11) d/o Nazir Ahmed Lone and raped her in a house in Koontwala, Kishtwar area of Doda district. After committing the act, troops handed over the child to the Kishtwar police who got her examined at District hospital Doda, the spokesman said. “The physical and mental state of the child was miserably bad when she recounted the incident to the delegation” the spokesman said.

    The delegation also met a women Parveeza Akthar w/o Mushtaq Ahmmed Bhat of Marmat Doda and her minor brother-in-law Mohammad Ismail, tortured by the troops of 8RR at their camp after apprehending the duo, the spokesperson said adding “ parveeza’s bloody eye bears testimony to the brutalities of Indian troops,” the statement read. Two sisters’ shameema bano and Amina Bano, one of whom is cripple were tortured physically and mentally for 6days by the troops of 8RR at their camp, the spokesman said. The sisters were subjected to worst bodily abuse, he said.

    On 3rd August, army published a rebuttal against the same story published in a local daily on Aug 1. According to the defence spokesperson, troops of 8 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) had laid an ambush in the Ingwan gali on the Bhart ridge in Doda on July 23 wherein they had inputs of militant movement. Sensing movement the troops challenged the militants resulting in encounter. Two militants were killed in the encounter. On further search of the area the troops found a girl hiding in the nearby forest. The girl identified as Shabnum Bano d/o Nazir Ahmmed of Kuntwara revealed that she along with two other girls were abducted by four militants of HUJI from the outskirts of Thatri village. DIG police Doda also questioned the girl on July 24 and the girl reported no such incident to DIG.

PROTEST AGAINST MOLESTATION IN ISLAMABAD

Aug 5, Srinagar: Four persons were injured in Islamabad Thursday Aug 5 when police used force to disperse a peaceful protest demonstration against the reported molestation of women during a search operation by troops. The enraged people from Aang Matipora shouting slogans against the RR and SOG had come to Islamabad town to protest what they said, the atrocities committed by the troops.

    They alleged the RR personnel stationed at village Sirhama and special operation group (SOG) men of molesting women during house-to-house searches. Police used baton charge and fired tear smoke shells on the protestors at Laizbal, injuring four persons. The injured have been identified as Showkat Ahmed Bhat, Javaid Ahmed Hajam, Sajad Ahmed and Nazir Ahmed Rather of Aang Matipora. The protestors assembled inside the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, where the police roughed them up.
“They molested several women. They even mixed kerosene with the rice in several houses,” said a villager.
“We came to the DC office with a hope that our grievances will be heard but the attitude of the police is brutal. Instead of listening to us they beat us”, said another.

    Talking to Voices Unheard, the villagers said that the forces cordon the village every week. Efforts to contact the ADC Islamabad could not mature. “The officer is not available,” informed the person who picked up the phone in his office. No official in the DC office came forward to listen to the grievances of the villagers till the police chased them out.

    People in the district complain that after the Kapran blast, in which DC Islamabad was injured, nobody remains in the office to listen to the people, despite the presence of two additional deputy commissioners in the office.

SRINAGAR GIRL MARRIED IN PAKISTAN DENIED VISA

Srinagar Aug 16: While the winds of friendship and negotiation seem to blow across the subcontinent, nothing seems to change for the common Kashmiri.

    Fareeda Yamin Shah, Srinagar girl married in Pakistan could not make it to the funeral of her parents for the stringent visa rules and delay in police verification.“Fareeda failed to fulfill her dying parents’ wish. On their deathbed, Fareeda’s ailing mother and father used to make fervent pleas to family members saying that they wish to see her face before death said a dejected Syed Sibtain Farooq shah, Fareeda’s Nephew. Daughter of peer Bahau-ud-Din Noori of Ashaan sahib Zainakadal, Fareeda was married to a Karachi boy in 1988.

    According to Sibtain, after the death of Fareeda’s ailing mother on December16 last year, who was suffering from diabetes, her ailing father peer Bahau-ud-din Noori wrote a letter to the Indian ministry of external affairs pleading Visa for Fareeeda and her husband. The letter read: “I, an old and ailing father of Fareeda have got no other option except to extend folded hands for seeking your worthy, kind and sympathetic help to grant visa to my daughter so that she could at least take part in the last rituals of her beloved mother. I do assure you that neither she nor her husband and family have any political or subversive motive behind the visit”.

    His repeated pleas, according to the family had no impact on the ministry officials. They didn’t allow Fareeda to visit,” Sibtain added. Fareeda received another blow within a span of five months when her father passed away in March this year. This news Fareeda is yet to hear. After Noori’s death Fareeda’s elder sister Mehjabeen Noori wrote an application to the president of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, appealing for his personnel intervention in the matter on Humanitarian grounds.

    The letter to Kalam read: “Our parents died within five months. I, the elder sister of the family request you to respect our emotions and sentiments and personnel intervention in the matter on Humanitarian grounds. The family is furious on the grant of visas to Pakistani scouts and singer Samia Malik, who visited the valley recently. “If the Indian government can give visas to these people why are the residents of valley? denied the same”, the family questions.

PILGRIM RAPED

Aug 19: A newly wed woman, who along with her husband had come to pay obeisance at Mata Vishnu Devi shrine and subsequently had gone missing on July 22 from Adhkunwari.

    Reaching Jammu railway station on July 24 in search of her husband, SPO Jyoti Prakash on a false pretext took her to a nearby hotel in Trikuta Nagar where he and his four accomplices raped the woman and threatened her of dire consequences for revealing the incident. The victim left for her native place Allahabad. Meanwhile Pushap Raj husband of the victim lodged a missing report at GRP police station, which swung into action and came across information regarding a similar woman as per Raj’s description with SPO Jyoti. Later all the five accused were arrested and the woman was brought from Allahabad, who identified them. A challan was produced in the court of Judicial Magistrate Jammu against the accused.

GIRL RELEASED AFTER SEVERE PHYSICAL TORTURE

Aug 9: Militants kidnapped 18 years Ruksana Bano d/o Jamal Din r/o Deachan gool on Aug 4 from her house. After physically torturing her for five days the militants finally released her.

GIRL INJURED IN A MYSTERIOUS FIRING INCIDENT

Aug 10: In a mysterious firing incident two minors were seriously injured. Residents of Loharsunzi Kokarnag, the two had gone out to attend the call of nature when they came under fire. Hearing their screams the family members rushed them to the hospital where their condition was said to be stable.

GIRL TORTURED FOR REFUSAL TO MARRY ULTRA

Jammu Aug 7: A young girl was brutally tortured by the militants and rendered seriously injured for her refusal to marry a Hizbul Mujahideen ‘commander’.

    Official sources said a group of four militants led by Hizbul Mujahideens ‘area commander’ Nazir Ahmed kidnapped a civilian Qamar Din and his niece Ruksana from their house in village Dachan in Gool area of Ramban police district last night. The militants tortured both of them as Ruksana had refused to marry Nazir Ahmmed. His father Jamal Din and Uncle Qamar din has also turned down the militant’s proposal. The militants released both of them this afternoon in badly tortured condition. The police shifted them to a local hospital.

    Police and security forces have launched a search operation to trace the militants involved in brutal torture of the young girl and her uncle.

INNOCENT VICTIMS OF TURMOIL

Srinagar, July 9: The first girl orphanage in the Kashmir has most of the victims of turmoil with only a few whose parents died of natural death. Tragedy is writ large on their faces. At an age, which would have blossomed in happiness and freedom, they are left to mourn the loss of their parents and face the hard-core realities of life.

    One Tabasum Hafeez burst into tears when she was asked to recount the incident that killed her father.
Her teachers say she is from Kunanposhpora. Her father - a militant was shot dead at his home. Tabasum came to know about his death from her mother. She was a toddler at that time. "My father Hafizullah Shah was killed by security forces. My mother told me the troops barged into our house in the night and pumped bullets into my fathers body," she says.

    Tabasum is a student of 2nd class at Banat Institute and she seldom goes to her home. Her life is restricted to the four walls of the orphanage. Her mother and the brother are the only people at her home.
There are many other girls at the orphanage who vividly describe the way their fathers were killed. Tabasum shares with other girls their common grief, loss of his father. She often feels envious about her brother. " My brother reads at Kupwara. I seldom visit my home," she says.

    Another girl Ruqaya is candid. She even names the agency that allegedly is responsible for the disappearance of her father. " The 6 RR caught hold of my father and when we approached them they denied his whereabouts," she said. Ruqiya’s father was an auto-driver and he has been missing for the past four years. Nageena, another girl from Buchwara, Kupwara, who reads in second class, says her father was an advocate and his dead body was found on the Langate Bridge. " He had gone to seek the release of his friend Abid Ahmad who was taken captive by the militants but when they refused to release Abid, my father also refused to leave. He was killed by the militants later,’’ added Nageena.

2 WOMEN RESCUED FROM POONCH MOSQUE; JAWAN, CIVILIAN KILLED

Jammu, Sep3: Security forces & police personnel rescued two women held hostage by ultras in a mosque at Sheendhara village in Poonch district this evening. Militants who entered the mosque after killing an army jawan held these women. Official reports said that militants killed an army jawan deployed with (ROP) of army at Sheendara when he went to drink water from a water tank located near a mosque. The militants fired on him from the point blank range killing him on the spot. The militants took away his AK rifle and entered the mosque where they took two women hostages. The militants did not allow two women to move out of the mosque, the sources said addind soon after their entry, the ultras bolted the windows and doors of the mosque from inside, trying to use the women as human shield, the militants wanted to avert the operation of the security forces. However, security forces & police cordoned off the mosque & fired some shells of tear smoke to nab the militants & rescue the hostages. The security forces later entered the premises of the mosque & rescued the women, but found that the militants had escaped from the rear of the shrine into a forest taking cover of tall maize crop in the nearby fields. Troops had launched a massive operation to hunt down the ultras.

LAWYERS PROTEST AGAINST EVE-TEASING BY COP

Srinagar, Sep 4: Lawyers held a protest demonstration in Budgam against the teasing of a prisoner’s sister by a constable of Budgam police lines. According to our sources Mohd. Sultan Pal of Chadoora was taken in police custody in connection of a case against him. When the accused, accompanied by his sister, was taken to sessions court Budgam, a constable Surinder Singh 300/BD started teasing the sister of Pal .She complained to her brother. Pal reported the matter to the judge & the judge summoned the constable along with the SP & asked him to take the action against him. The SP, according the Lawyers, didn’t take any action against Singh. This infuriated the lawyers & they protested the SP’s action & demanded immediate action against the accused Surinder Singh.

KASHMIRI STUDENTS HARRASED IN BIHAR

Srinagar, Sep 12: The ordeal of Kashmiri students pursuing Bachelor of Dental Surgeon (BDS) in Mithilia Minority Dental College (MMDC) in Darbanga, Bihar, is far from over. After being exploited physically, financially & mentally, the management, according to students, is asking them to submit huge sum of money apart from tuition fee to continue their studies in the college. Exasperated & angry over the behaviour of management, seven Kashmiri students, four girls & three boys tried self-immolation on sep.7 in front of the Darbanga Commissioner. All the students have been hospitalised & are undergoing treatment. “The college management is demanding huge amount from us & when we denied, they beat us in the college campus,” said Imtiyaz Maqbool, President LNMU Dental student’s federation adding, “they labelled us terrorists.” There are hundreds of Kashmiri students studying in Darbanga dental college. Many students are pursing their five-year course for past 10 years. But due to hassles of recognition by Medical Council of India (MCI) the students have suffered a lot in terms of money & time.” The college management exploited Kashmiri students physically, financially & psychologically,” said one of the Kashmiri students adding, “No one is here to help us.” The students have appealed J&k political leaders to raise the issue in the parliament & take up the problem with the govt. of Bihar for quick redressal. Furthermore, the management of the MMDC, they fail to meet the deadline. “We are being threatened day in & day out by the management so all Kashmiri students have left hostels,” said Imtiyaz Maqbool. The students are now rendered homeless. The students accuse a local member parliament & minister of state for human Resource Development, Ashraf Ali Fatmi of, ganging up with the management to intimidate Kashmiri students on different accounts. “HE (Ashraf Ali Fatimi) is openly supporting the mafia of the college management. Thus our hue cries are not being heard,” said a Kashmiri student. Pushed to wall by the management the students have threatened to take extreme steps if the demands are not met. “ If there is more delay in justice, the results will be tragic,” said Imtiyaz Maqbool. Meanwhile the students have written to JK minister for finance & parliamentary affairs & are hopeful of action from him.

WOMEN - CHILDREN KILLING

DATE	DETAILS
July 18:	Militants killed a pro government militant and his wife Hamida Begum and injured his daughter Nargis at Hurpora Shopian.
August 7:	A group of militants entered the house of Zareena Bagum at Budan in Gool area of Udhampur district and shot her dead, suspecting her to be an informer of security forces.
August 10:	Aaisha Begum (65) w/o Gh Qadir Malik of Brarpora Bandipora was crushed to death by army vehicle near Nowpora Bandipora.
August 18:	Unidentified Gunmen barged into the residence of Ghulam Hassan s/o Mir Baz Gujarat on Tuesday evening and fired indiscriminately on the inmates of the house resulting in the death of four persons including a woman. Among the killed include the owner of the house, his two sons Muhammad Sharief (26) and Zakir Hussain (16) and daughter Khurshida bano (32).
August 19:	Khursheed Bano, 32 along with her two sons Shafi and Zakir were killed by suspected LeT militants at Malan Jablan area of Mahore in Udhampur District.
August 19:	A woman identified as Reshma was shot dead by an SPO Sharief-ud-din s/o Isa din of Ghati.
August 3:	Militants hacked a woman, Shameema Akhter with the axe and injured her brother at village Lassana 7 Kms from Surankote on Poonch road in the wee hours. The militants blamed the woman of hatching conspiracy to eliminate three ultras at her residence few years ago.
August 16:	Hamida Begum (38) and her husband Muneer Hussain (45) S/o of Fateh Mohammad were killed by unidentified gumen at Ladyal.
August 18	A woman Zeena Begum, 30, w/o Ghulam Hassan was also shot dead by the militants in her house at village Gandana in Ramban tehsil last night.
August 22:	A young girl was killed when unidentified gunmen entered in the house of Rahim Mir of Ludna under the jurisdiction of Doda police station last night. They dragged out his daughter Shazia Bano 25 and shot her dead.
August 26:	Two children Nassara Bano (2) and Babar hanief (9) were killed and their parents critically injured when a rocket intended for paramilitary post at Khara Gandoh, Doda missed the target and exploded in the house of Muhammad Hanief s/o Abdul Karim.
August 27:	Unidentified gunmen abducted and later killed a husband- wife duo at Kobra Dhok, Mahore on Aug 26. The deceased couple was identified by the police as Mohammad Ashiq s/o Abdul Aziz and his wife Naseema Begum of Bathoie, Udhampur.
August 29:	Mehfooza 22, Ruhi 25, d/o’s Ghulam Muhammad Bhat of Nunibugh, Kulgam were killed and their sister Imtiyaza was wounded when an Improvised Explosive Device, dumped in the lawn of their house, went off as the family was removing stones from the lawn.
August 25:	Two children were killed and their parents injured in a mistargetted Rocket propelled Grenade (RPG) attack by the militants in Khara village of Tehsil Gandoh. It exploded in the house of Muhammad Hanief s/o Abdul Karim of Tarahal (present Khara). In the blast, Hanief’s one and a half year old daughter Nasir Bano and Nine year old son Babur Hanief were killed instantly. While he and his wife, shahida survived with injuries.
July 12:	Police claimed to recover a charred body of a woman from Chakthroo in Mandi area of Poonch area.
August 22:	A 25 year old woman ( Shazia Bano) was killed by the militants on the late night of August 20 at L udna under the jurisdiction of police station Doda, While a special police officer (SPO) and a woman sustained bullet injuries when some Ultras fired upon them at Bhagai and Thandasoo Nullah respectively.
September 22:	Unidentified gunmen, Monday night entered the house of Md. Akram alias doctor s/o Ab. Samad of Bagga sector in Mahore, Udhampur district and shot him and his wife Jana begum dead.
Date	Body of a Nepali woman and her six-year old child was recovered from Jehlum near Safakadal in downtown city.
Date	A woman in Sadhunar, Hajan of Varmul district on Tuesday jumped in a canal of Jhelum river on seeing a group of soldiers coming towards her during a search operation in the village. Police retrieved her body from the canal around 7pm. CNS quoting sources that around 12.30 pm a search party of troops was laying cordon around Sadhunar, Hajan for a search operation. Women of the village raised cry on seeing the troops. Another group of women walking along the banks of “Laank”, a canal of Jhelum river, were gripped with horror seeing a group of troops approaching towards them and they began to run. In the commotion. Hablee w/o Bashir Ah. Wagay of Sadhunar, a mother of two small kids,jumped in the canal .After post-mortem her body was handed over to her family.
Date	In Sonabrari, Kokernag in Islamabad district, unidentified armed persons shot dead Sharifa W/o Abdul Rashid Khan. The deceased was a candidate defeated in the 1996 in assembly elections.

WOMEN /CHILDREN KILLED

Date	Women killed	Women injured	Children killed
July 1	1
July 18	1	1
August 3	1
August 7	1	1
August 9		1
August 10	1
August 16	1
August 18	2
August 19	1
August 21		4
August 22	2	1
August 26		1	2
August 27	1
August 29	2	1
September 12	1	1
September 13	2
Total	17	11	2

Voices Unheard: A Magazine
Published By
Kashmiri Women’s Initiative for Peace and Disarmament (KWIPD)

The Bund, Amira Kadal Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir)

Tel: ++91-194-2482820

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