Greater Kashmir June 11, 2008
80-year-old tortured
Pulwama Villagers Protest Forced Labour By ArmyAYUB JAVAID
Pulwama, June 10: The alleged torture of an 80-year-old villager of Abhama hamlet here on Tuesday triggered massive protests with the villagers demanding action against the erring troopers and urged the state government to intervene in stopping forced labour in the area.Army denies the accusations but police says it has taken cognizance.The 80-year-old Ghulam Muhammad Najar was allegedly thrashed by troops in the morning and has been admitted to district hospital here after doctors at the sub-district hospital Keller suggested him clinical check up. Both the sitting as well as former MLAs of Rajpora assembly segment have voiced their concern against the severe thrashing of the carpenter. Najar’s grandson, Javaid Ahmad Najar told Greater Kashmir that a patrol of 44 Rashtriya Rifles based at Nittin Dajan camp dropped at his residence at 5.40 AM Tuesday morning. “The troops inquired about my grandfather Ghulam Muhammad Najar and my younger brother Sajad went to inform him and in the meanwhile the troops beat my brother,” said Javaid.“This behaviour of troops was resented by our grandfather after which the troops severely thrashed him and the inmates, including Shaheena and Raja. My grandfather fell on the ground and was rushed to hospital,” he said.Javaid alleged that their family was being taken by the troops for forced labour to work in the camp. He said that the troops could have further roughed up others but the timely intervention of the neighbours save them.With election due scheduled in September this year, MLA Rajpora Syed Bashir Ahmad after visiting the hospital rushed to Abhama village where he addressed the protestors and warned the troops to refrain from human rights violations. He demanded inquiry into the incident and asked troops to stop the forced labour in the area.He informed the protestors that the commanding officer of RR has assured him a probe into the incident.A spokesman of 44 RR denied the allegations of thrashing the villager.“All we know about Abhama village is that the MLA was scheduled to visit the area,” the spokesman said. Meanwhile, National Conference leader and former MLA Ghulam Mohiudin Mir said that troops have indulged in forced labour in Abhama village and have tortured a senior citizen. Mir also demanded inquiry into the matter.Additional SP Pulwama and Shopian Abdul Qayoom Thakoo told Greater Kashmir that some uniformed men visited the house of a carpenter this morning in the village where the inmates told them that he is not available at his home. However, the SP said on knowing about his presence in the house a scuffle between inmates and troops took place and the aged carpenter was taken between the scuffle who has been hospitalised. The additional SP said that police have taken cognizance of the incident.
