Greater Kashmir June 4, 2010
http://greaterkashmir.com/ShowStory.asp?NewsID=16&CategoryID=11
Delhi must apologize
DIGNITY ASSAULTED
Er S A Rasheed recounts the horror he and his people have suffered at the hands of men in uniform
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Today when I recall the bitter memories of those days when I along with my villagers had to get up at 4 in the night with kerosene lanterns in our trembling hands to perform the most terrible, inhuman, unjustified and humiliating forced labour (called Begaer in Urdu and Kashmiri) for the army, I shiver. Known locally as “convoy duty” (as we were supposed to provide protection to army convoys), this is the most dreaded form of “national service” being taken from the hapless inhabitants of my area. It was not primarily the forced labour which army forced the villagers into, but people had to face torture, humiliation and a lurking threat of getting killed or maimed. Since army men feared militant attacks, hence we civilians on “convoy duty” were used as human shield. Those villagers who used to be on “convoy duty” on their turn, had to do all sorts of manual labour the whole day, from cutting firewood to washing their clothes and utensils of course without any remuneration. From each hamlet of Mawer area, (a mountainous area comprising of around fifty villages), a group of four or more civilians, depending on the population of village had to reach the main road, assemble at a spot identified by the troops and with the kerosene lantern in their hands had to wait for the army jawans to come. Once the army would reach near the group, civilians had to jump like monkeys to give satisfaction to army that they are not suicide bombers and then army people would come closer and conduct our body searches to ensure that they do not carry bombs. After this process the group of civilians had to start their duty, by taking long sticks in their hands to search the road and its peripheries for any landmines or IED planted by the militants. This search by civilians continued to the next locality where another group of villagers waited to take the “charge” and the process continued till last village of Mawer area.
After performing this hazardous “duty” which normally took two hours, the said group of people had to surrender their identity cards at the nearest army checkpoint which were located at villages of Qalamabad, Maratgam, Choutipora, Langate & Haril. During this tormenting forced labour for the army, it would depend on ones good luck or the mood of the army jawans and the intention of the militants to ensure that how safe villagers remain throughout the day of their tormenting “duty.”
After depositing the identity cards at the army checkpoints at daybreak, the villagers had to report at various posts, camps or at other spots of the area, where army would need their “services.” The villagers were required to construct bunkers, get illicit timber from forests, gather firewood, wash their clothes and clean their kitchens, construct roads for installations and do everything whatever was ordered by the army personnel. However, for maximum time of the day we had to be around the jawans’ bunkers to protect them from attacks from the militants. It was only in the evening that we were returned our identity cards and allowed to go back home.
Skilled laboureres like carpenters, masons, timber sawyers had to work in the army camps regularly without any remuneration. Buses, mini-buses, trucks and even personal vehicles had to be kept available for army whenever they needed them for various purposes.
“Begaer” is the horror that still sends shivers down our spine. And no inhabitant was immune to this barbarity of the men in uniform. Everyday 4 to 5 households from each hamlet would send one member from their family for the day’s “convoy duty.” This was done on a rotational basis. However, whenever army would require additional men for any service, from using them for human shield during encounters with militants to do manual jobs at their camps, they would pick up anybody irrespective of his age and job. If someone was the only male member of his family or a government servant he still had to go for the army duty at all costs. If one would offer a handsome amount to anybody to go for the “duty”, but nobody agreed for this given the humiliation and threat to life.
Like any other villager, I had to perform this begaer as my father was a retired teacher and brother was a student. Hence I had to take this duty for army all these years. Sounds unbelievable, but it is a fact that those houses which were located on roadside were occupied by the army during night time. Army would come and bundle inmates in one or two rooms during the evening time. Family members including children were ordered not to make a sound and they would occupy the remaining house and keep inmates hostage till the morning. This was done to check the moment of the militants during nights. My own house was used for this kind of operation on dozens of occasions. These practices continued from Jan 1990 to 3 February, 2003. It only ended when I along with few youths took the battle to roads when an innocent youth Shabir Ahmad Pir of Shirhama village was killed in custody by 30 Rashtriya Rifles on 3rd February, 2003. People staged a huge protest demonstration and inhabitants of whole Mawer area decided not to do the humiliating “convoy duty” for the army. Though we couldn’t give justice to Pir’s family but under tremendous resistance from the villagers, army and civil authorities declared an end to the dark era of forced labour. For the traumatized villagers, this was no less than freedom.
It was a great day for we the wretched villagers but I had to pay for it. I was expelled out of my home by my parents as they were angry for me taking frequent tussles with the army over their excesses against civilians. I had been earlier expelled by my parents on the same reason, for they feared that army will take revenge from the whole family for their son’s “waywardness.” This was my third expulsion and lasted four and a half months. I had to pay a bigger cost for being the rebel as I was jailed in November 2005 by police who accused me for having sympathy for militants. Even after my release I was being harassed for different reasons. I finally decided to resign from my engineering service and contested 2008 assembly elections as an independent candidate and got through inspite of opposition from various quarters and forces. The primary reason for participating in elections was very simple. I was of the firm faith that it is the only civilized and democratic way to expose the atrocities faced by the Kashmiri people at the hands of security forces, renegades and militants. I after getting elected to state legislative assembly filed some 24 cases before State Human Rights Commission on 10th Dec 2009 on the eve of International Human Rights Day, seeking justice for innocent killings by army, police, renegades and militants. One of the cases was regarding the forced labour which we had to endue for years and I sought compensation for 13 years forced labour, for myself and my people.
It is my firm faith that we must not have double standards. We must respect human right irrespective of religion, class or caste. A violator is a violator weather he is in uniform claiming to fight for the security of country or a militant claiming to be fighting for Azadi. Government claims that militants are terrorists, without a religion, outlaws and have no respect for humanity. If it is assumed to be true then atrocities committed by militants are nothing new and one should not be surprised as their acts should be seen in light of this definition by government. However, when we define security forces, that they are obviously supposed to protect life, property, honour and dignity of the citizens of the country irrespective of their cast, region, religion or political affiliation. Security forces are bound by law of the land hence there should be a difference between them and the militants.
My intention is never to embarrass the security establishment of the country, but I deem it my duty to make my countrymen understand that nobody is above the law that is why I as an MLA had registered the case against the forced labour and I am seeking Prime Minister’s intervention to get myself and my people compensated for the barbarity we have faced. Let PM apologize on behalf of State that he is grieved because his own people were subjected to forced labour and other inhuman acts for 13 years.
If the Government of India is sincere in its claims of reconciliation and bringing Kashmiris closer to country’s mainstream, then there should be public dislike and abhorrence for the humiliation Kashmiris have suffered. And apologizing the people of Mawer will be beginning for that humane approach of Delhi.
Confidence, self respect, dignity and honour of Kashmiris – this all is to be restored and compensating inhabitants of Mawar and its adjoining areas will be a step forward in the process. Now when the CID has established (vide their letter No. CID/HR/SHRC/18/2010 Dt: 23/03/2010) that my complaint regarding forced labour is true, let government compensate and tender an unconditional apology. This will be a encouraging message for the Kashmiris. And it will deter potential criminals from going ahead with their designs.
(Er S A Rasheed is MLA Langate North Kashmir, Ideas expressed are his own)
Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
14-year old boy shot dead by Indian paramilitaries
Troopers kill boy
Day 5: Kashmir Shut Amid Protests, Clashes
DANISH NABI
Srinagar, Feb 5: Barely five days after cops killed a 14-year boy in old city here, paramilitary BSF troopers allegedly shot dead another teenager at Kralsangri-Brain Nishat in the city outskirts here Friday.
“Sixteen-year old Zahid Farooq son of Farooq Ahmad Sheikh of Sheikh Mohalla Brain was shot in the chest by the troopers near the office of Inspector General of CRPF at Kralsangri-Brain Nishat,” witnesses told Greater Kashmir.
Locals said they rushed the injured Zahid to SK Institute of Medical Sciences Soura where the doctors declared him brought dead. “The boy was hit by a bullet in the chest but he didn’t have the exit wound. He was dead when he was brought to the hospital,” said, Deputy Medical Superintendent SKIMS.
As the word about Zahid’s death spread, massive protests broke out in Brain and adjoining areas with protesters demanding stern action against the erring BSF men.
Mourners, carrying Zahid’s body and raising slogans, tried to march towards Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence at Gupkar Road. Police and CRPF men intercepted them and resorted to heavy baton charge and fired tear-smoke canisters to disperse them. Mourners offered stiff resistance and retaliated with kangris (fire pots).
As the pitched battle continued, the ambulance carrying the victim’s body stood still there. After the protests subsided, the ambulance drove back and handed-over Zahid’s body to his family members for last rites.
The mourners, however, demanded that an FIR be registered against BSF before the victim was laid to eternal rest. They took the body to the concerned police station. The last rites of the victim had not been performed when this report was filed. The killing of comes at a time when the valley is on the boil since Sunday following the killing of Wamiq Farooq hit by a teargas shell in old city. An Assistant Sub Inspector of Police was placed under suspension for firing the shell.
Pertinently, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Sagar, on Thursday said the government had reviewed the situation and such incidents would not recur.
OFFICIALS SPEAK
The Inspector General of Police - Kashmir zone - Farooq Ahmad said the accused hadn’t been identified yet.
“It’s a mystery whether it was BSF, CRPF or any other force involved in the killing of Zahid. We have registered a case under 302-RPC and we will investigate to find out the truth,” he said, adding the Government has ordered an independent probe into the killing.
LIFE REMAINS PARALYSED
Meanwhile, life in the summer capital remained paralysed for the fifth consecutive day, Friday as authorities imposed “undeclared curfew” in the old city and elsewhere.
Huge contingents of police and paramilitary CRPF were deployed in every nook and corner of the old city and troopers had blocked roads by erecting barricades and laying spools on concertina wires.
Strict restrictions were imposed in the inner areas of old city, including Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal, Naid Kadal, Gojwara, Nallahmar, Maisuma and Gaw Kadal, which witnessed massive protests and clashes against the killing of 14-year-old Wamiq Farooq Wani, hit by a teargas shell earlier this week.
Residents of these areas said the troopers didn’t allow them to offer Friday prayers in Masjids. “When we tried to move towards Masjids we were asked to stay back and pray indoors. We were restricted from offering prayers in all Masjids on the main roads,” a resident of Nowhatta, Imtiyaz Ahmad said over phone.
People said they were beaten up for moving out in the morning while the police and CRPF didn’t allow them to get the daily commodities. They said the troopers didn’t even allow the newspapers in the area.
Ding dong battles however continued throughout the day between youth and protesters at Lal Bazar, Elahi bagh and other areas in city outskirts.
Restrictions were in place also in the uptown areas mainly in Barzulla, Bemina, Natipora and Batmaloo but the private vehicles could be seen plying at quite a few places.
The troopers went berserk in Tankipora, Batmaloo and adjoining areas in the morning and broke the window panes of houses, residents told Greater Kashmir over phone. The troopers, they said, beat up several people. The vehicle of the daily Kashmir vision editor, Shafaat Kira, was also damaged by troopers.
Total Shutdown was also observed in Ganderbal and Kangan districts amid pro-freedom protests after Friday prayers at Qamariya chowk.
NORTH KASHMIR
A complete shutdown was observed in Varmul, Bandipore, Sopur, Kupwara, Handwara, and other districts and towns of north Kashmir for the fifth consecutive day amidst restrictions over the civilian movement imposed by the authorities.
Witnesses said the police and paramilitary CRPF had been deployed in strength in main town Varmul and they beat up people for moving out. Owner of the Sheikh news Agency was also beaten up for opening his shop in the morning. Mild protesters were reported from Delina Varmul and Khawaja Bagh.
Total shutdown was also observed in the apple town Sopur while the clashes took place between youth and the troopers at several places.
Complete shutdown was also observed in Kupwara, Handwara and Bandipore areas where shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic remained off the roads.
SOUTH KASHMIR
A complete shutdown was observed in major districts of south Kashmir including Islamabad, Kulgam, Pulwama for fifth running day.
Heavy deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF was maintained in all the districts amid reports of mild protests from several places. After Friday prayers youth tried to stage a protests march but it was intercepted by troopers resulting in mild clashes. Ding-dong battles were reported from Chini chowk and Reshi bazaar in the afternoon.
Mild clashes were also reported from Kulgam, Pulwama and other districts.
Another cricketer brought home dead
‘Teenage Zahid Shot In Chest’
GOWHAR BHAT
Srinagar, Feb 5: In one more incident of its kind in less than a week, another young boy who had gone to play cricket near his residence at Nishat on Friday, was bought home dead.
16-year-old, Zahid Farooq alias Shoaib of Sheikh Mohalla, Brain, Nishat, according to his friends - also eyewitness to the incident - said they offered Friday prayers in the nearby mosque and then went out to play cricket in a field on the banks of Dal Lake.
“But it started raining heavily and we sat on a parapet beneath a tree. In the meanwhile, a BSF gypsy and a lorry passing by the Boulevard Road stopped near us. The BSF troopers got down from the vehicle and came towards us. They asked us to go home as curfew was in force in the city,” Zahid’s friends, staging protests, said.
“The BSF men abused and chased us away. We started running but Zahid stayed back. Suddenly, we heard gunshots and when we looked back, we saw a BSF trooper firing at Zahid. The trooper fired three shots at him from point blank range,” said his friend with fear writ on his face.
Zahid received a bullet in his chest and he crawled several meters with blood gushing out of his body, before he fell flat on the ground. “We offered him water and in a few minutes he breathed his last,” he stammered. Zahid was shifted to SKIMS where he was declared dead on arrival.
Zahid was the only son of his parents who are now left with two daughters. His father, Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, is a government employee in the Public Health Engineering Department. He was a student of Meerak Shah School, Shalimar and had passed his matriculation examination in December last year.
“Zahid was such a loveable child and was everybody’s darling. My mind fails to fathom why he was killed and for what. There were neither any protests nor any clashes in the area,” said Javaid Ahmad, his neighbour and friend. “This is a cold-blooded murder,” he grumbled.
When Zahid’s body was bought home, many of his friends and neighbours, unable to bear the grief, fell unconscious. Zahid was a cricket freak and despite the rains he went out to play cricket. “Get up Shoaib, Get up, we have to play,” his friends shrieked as they followed the ambulance carrying home his body.
Relatives, neighbours and locals staged massive demonstrations amidst heavy rains and took his body on the Boulevard and tried to march towards CM’s residence. But a large number of police and CRPF men blocked the roads by armoured vehicles and lobbed teargas canisters to quell the funeral procession.
A youth came out of the ambulance with the hospital admission ticket in his hand and went to SSP, Srinagar, Javaid Riyaz Bedar: “Please have mercy on us. Look at this ticket; Zahid was killed by targeted fire, a bullet pierced his chest. Please stop shelling on this procession.”
Earlier this week, another teenager, Wamiq Farooq who had also gone to play cricket in the old city was bought home dead. He was hit by a teargas shell in his head when police were dealing with protesters near Gojwara.
Day 5: Kashmir Shut Amid Protests, Clashes
DANISH NABI
Srinagar, Feb 5: Barely five days after cops killed a 14-year boy in old city here, paramilitary BSF troopers allegedly shot dead another teenager at Kralsangri-Brain Nishat in the city outskirts here Friday.
“Sixteen-year old Zahid Farooq son of Farooq Ahmad Sheikh of Sheikh Mohalla Brain was shot in the chest by the troopers near the office of Inspector General of CRPF at Kralsangri-Brain Nishat,” witnesses told Greater Kashmir.
Locals said they rushed the injured Zahid to SK Institute of Medical Sciences Soura where the doctors declared him brought dead. “The boy was hit by a bullet in the chest but he didn’t have the exit wound. He was dead when he was brought to the hospital,” said, Deputy Medical Superintendent SKIMS.
As the word about Zahid’s death spread, massive protests broke out in Brain and adjoining areas with protesters demanding stern action against the erring BSF men.
Mourners, carrying Zahid’s body and raising slogans, tried to march towards Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence at Gupkar Road. Police and CRPF men intercepted them and resorted to heavy baton charge and fired tear-smoke canisters to disperse them. Mourners offered stiff resistance and retaliated with kangris (fire pots).
As the pitched battle continued, the ambulance carrying the victim’s body stood still there. After the protests subsided, the ambulance drove back and handed-over Zahid’s body to his family members for last rites.
The mourners, however, demanded that an FIR be registered against BSF before the victim was laid to eternal rest. They took the body to the concerned police station. The last rites of the victim had not been performed when this report was filed. The killing of comes at a time when the valley is on the boil since Sunday following the killing of Wamiq Farooq hit by a teargas shell in old city. An Assistant Sub Inspector of Police was placed under suspension for firing the shell.
Pertinently, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Sagar, on Thursday said the government had reviewed the situation and such incidents would not recur.
OFFICIALS SPEAK
The Inspector General of Police - Kashmir zone - Farooq Ahmad said the accused hadn’t been identified yet.
“It’s a mystery whether it was BSF, CRPF or any other force involved in the killing of Zahid. We have registered a case under 302-RPC and we will investigate to find out the truth,” he said, adding the Government has ordered an independent probe into the killing.
LIFE REMAINS PARALYSED
Meanwhile, life in the summer capital remained paralysed for the fifth consecutive day, Friday as authorities imposed “undeclared curfew” in the old city and elsewhere.
Huge contingents of police and paramilitary CRPF were deployed in every nook and corner of the old city and troopers had blocked roads by erecting barricades and laying spools on concertina wires.
Strict restrictions were imposed in the inner areas of old city, including Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal, Naid Kadal, Gojwara, Nallahmar, Maisuma and Gaw Kadal, which witnessed massive protests and clashes against the killing of 14-year-old Wamiq Farooq Wani, hit by a teargas shell earlier this week.
Residents of these areas said the troopers didn’t allow them to offer Friday prayers in Masjids. “When we tried to move towards Masjids we were asked to stay back and pray indoors. We were restricted from offering prayers in all Masjids on the main roads,” a resident of Nowhatta, Imtiyaz Ahmad said over phone.
People said they were beaten up for moving out in the morning while the police and CRPF didn’t allow them to get the daily commodities. They said the troopers didn’t even allow the newspapers in the area.
Ding dong battles however continued throughout the day between youth and protesters at Lal Bazar, Elahi bagh and other areas in city outskirts.
Restrictions were in place also in the uptown areas mainly in Barzulla, Bemina, Natipora and Batmaloo but the private vehicles could be seen plying at quite a few places.
The troopers went berserk in Tankipora, Batmaloo and adjoining areas in the morning and broke the window panes of houses, residents told Greater Kashmir over phone. The troopers, they said, beat up several people. The vehicle of the daily Kashmir vision editor, Shafaat Kira, was also damaged by troopers.
Total Shutdown was also observed in Ganderbal and Kangan districts amid pro-freedom protests after Friday prayers at Qamariya chowk.
NORTH KASHMIR
A complete shutdown was observed in Varmul, Bandipore, Sopur, Kupwara, Handwara, and other districts and towns of north Kashmir for the fifth consecutive day amidst restrictions over the civilian movement imposed by the authorities.
Witnesses said the police and paramilitary CRPF had been deployed in strength in main town Varmul and they beat up people for moving out. Owner of the Sheikh news Agency was also beaten up for opening his shop in the morning. Mild protesters were reported from Delina Varmul and Khawaja Bagh.
Total shutdown was also observed in the apple town Sopur while the clashes took place between youth and the troopers at several places.
Complete shutdown was also observed in Kupwara, Handwara and Bandipore areas where shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic remained off the roads.
SOUTH KASHMIR
A complete shutdown was observed in major districts of south Kashmir including Islamabad, Kulgam, Pulwama for fifth running day.
Heavy deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF was maintained in all the districts amid reports of mild protests from several places. After Friday prayers youth tried to stage a protests march but it was intercepted by troopers resulting in mild clashes. Ding-dong battles were reported from Chini chowk and Reshi bazaar in the afternoon.
Mild clashes were also reported from Kulgam, Pulwama and other districts.
Another cricketer brought home dead
‘Teenage Zahid Shot In Chest’
GOWHAR BHAT
Srinagar, Feb 5: In one more incident of its kind in less than a week, another young boy who had gone to play cricket near his residence at Nishat on Friday, was bought home dead.
16-year-old, Zahid Farooq alias Shoaib of Sheikh Mohalla, Brain, Nishat, according to his friends - also eyewitness to the incident - said they offered Friday prayers in the nearby mosque and then went out to play cricket in a field on the banks of Dal Lake.
“But it started raining heavily and we sat on a parapet beneath a tree. In the meanwhile, a BSF gypsy and a lorry passing by the Boulevard Road stopped near us. The BSF troopers got down from the vehicle and came towards us. They asked us to go home as curfew was in force in the city,” Zahid’s friends, staging protests, said.
“The BSF men abused and chased us away. We started running but Zahid stayed back. Suddenly, we heard gunshots and when we looked back, we saw a BSF trooper firing at Zahid. The trooper fired three shots at him from point blank range,” said his friend with fear writ on his face.
Zahid received a bullet in his chest and he crawled several meters with blood gushing out of his body, before he fell flat on the ground. “We offered him water and in a few minutes he breathed his last,” he stammered. Zahid was shifted to SKIMS where he was declared dead on arrival.
Zahid was the only son of his parents who are now left with two daughters. His father, Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, is a government employee in the Public Health Engineering Department. He was a student of Meerak Shah School, Shalimar and had passed his matriculation examination in December last year.
“Zahid was such a loveable child and was everybody’s darling. My mind fails to fathom why he was killed and for what. There were neither any protests nor any clashes in the area,” said Javaid Ahmad, his neighbour and friend. “This is a cold-blooded murder,” he grumbled.
When Zahid’s body was bought home, many of his friends and neighbours, unable to bear the grief, fell unconscious. Zahid was a cricket freak and despite the rains he went out to play cricket. “Get up Shoaib, Get up, we have to play,” his friends shrieked as they followed the ambulance carrying home his body.
Relatives, neighbours and locals staged massive demonstrations amidst heavy rains and took his body on the Boulevard and tried to march towards CM’s residence. But a large number of police and CRPF men blocked the roads by armoured vehicles and lobbed teargas canisters to quell the funeral procession.
A youth came out of the ambulance with the hospital admission ticket in his hand and went to SSP, Srinagar, Javaid Riyaz Bedar: “Please have mercy on us. Look at this ticket; Zahid was killed by targeted fire, a bullet pierced his chest. Please stop shelling on this procession.”
Earlier this week, another teenager, Wamiq Farooq who had also gone to play cricket in the old city was bought home dead. He was hit by a teargas shell in his head when police were dealing with protesters near Gojwara.
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