India: Police savagery continues in Varanasi
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URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION
Urgent Appeal
7 November 2009
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INDIA: Violence and torture against Muslim minority; police inaction; impunity, Communalism, police firing
Dear Friends,
The Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human rights (PVCHR), a human rights organization has immediately intervened in the Bazardiha police firing case; still the hapless survivors of Muslim minority have not been given any compensation and justice. Since 2005, Holi revelers had been assiduously trying to engineer communal discord in Bazardiha of Varanasi in India. These miscreants throw colours on the mosque; write filthy invectives on its wall targeting the Muslims. Police collude with the goons and fired on poor weavers.
Case detail
On 11th March, 09 indiscriminate police firing on Bajardiha's impoverished and poverty-stricken weavers exposes the so-called minority-friendly character of the UP administration. Holi revelers trying to create Communal disturbance were left scoff-free.
The Police firing gulp the life of two youngsters Mr. Moin Akhtar and Mr. Khali-uj –Jama while other eight people had been injured. The injured have been admitted in a Laxmi Medical and Surgical Centre, a private hospital in Varanasi.
Name of survivors:
1. Mohammad Moin Akhtar (died) aged 22 years son of Mr Mukhtar Ahmad resident of Galla Bazardiha under Bhelupura police station.
2. Khalik-uj-jama (died) aged 19 years son of Mohammad Salim resident of Rajanagar Murgiyaatola under Bazardiha police station.
3. Abdul Rahman (Injured) aged 17 years son of Abdul Badd.
4. Akbar Ali (Injured) aged 25 years son of Asagar Ali.
5. Mohammad Asalam (injured) aged 25 years son of Shobarati
6. Gulzar Ahmad (Injured) aged 20 years son of Nasim Akhatar.
7. Abdul Salaam (Injured) aged 20 years son of Dildar Ahmad.
8. Dildar (Injured) son of Sageer.
9. Ansar Ahmad (Injured) son of Sharfuddin.
10. Vaseem Ahmad (Injured) aged 24 years son of Riyaz Ahmad
Pushed to the corner, survivors of the police firing are languishing in penury. As Nisar Ahmed says." I was sole bread earner for my family. Now it's quite difficult to get a square meal a day. Police fired ruthlessly on my right arm and left arm pit. One bullet pierced through my ankles. I suffer from excruciating pain and I have no money to purchase medicines."
Incapacitated Abdul Rehman recounts, "Bullet pierced through my left thigh and turned me into a physical wreek. Neighbours showed their generosity and my operation was possible. Still a bone grafting needs to be done. After that I can walk on my own without being dependent on the crutches."
Testimony of Mukhtar Ahmed (father of deceased Moin Akhtar)
(Initiated under the pilot project "Capacity Building of Testimonial Therapy in India" with the joint venture of PVCHR and RCT)
I Mukhar Ahmed live in N 12/29 Bazardeeha Varanasi. I am citizen of India. Earlier I weave sari, but after plight, I nourish my family with the small provision grocery shop.
On 11th March, 09 Mata Prasad hold Matkafod in front of his house. Hindu brother from Bazardiha, Khojawa, Patiya and Sudamapur gathered there. They burst Matki (small earthen jar) at 10:30 in the morning. The procession moves off to Kohlua mosque in the emissary of BJP member Mr. Vijay Viswakarma. They fling dirt, colors and wine bottle and roared slogan "denigrate Pakistan and denigrate Islam." What we have to do with Pakistan, we are Indians but on denigrate Islam community people were silent as the demonstrators were drunk.
The situation was repeating from last three years. Earlier we wipe color as the precautionary measure to maintain the communal harmony. But this year it was excessive which hearted the elder people.
I was sipping tea and my elder son Mobin went to purchase soap and shampoo. I heard the conversation and moved to know the reason. I stand with other 300 – 400 people. Few elder people asked to the 25 – 35 policemen posted near Mosque "In your presence how the color and dirt fling on mosque. Bazardeeha police outpost incharge Mr. Shamsher says, oh leave it, what happened if they did so?
Elderly people demands for the arrest of the people involved. Shamsher Singh with green – eyed and angrily tell off, "go away otherwise I will break your leg, Mob warn to surround police outpost if the demonstrator is not arrested.
Ignoring the conversation police precedes to the place of the matkafod and we also followed them and again put our demand for the arrest. Again he threat in the policing behavior. Meanwhile a stone from the Mata Prasad house hit on the solder of one police and the angered policemen start broking his door. In wee another stone from opposite side hit the wall. Agitated policemen and Shamsher Singh, police check post incharge started firing. They were not ordered for the firing neither we got prior alarm. I with 25 – 30 people hid myself in the mosque, due to immediate police firing.
My son Mobin was running alone. I tried to pull him in the mosque but he moved few step ahead. I was staring him from the aperture. I was feeling powerless from inside. I started praying for his life with heavy heart. One policeman says to Mobin by abusing him, "what are you doing here, go away, hearing this I felt reinvigorate and thought my child is saved. With open eyes I saw Shamsher Singh fired and it hit on his right chest. He ran and fallen in the gallery. I vigorously cried, I was restlessness and did not know what to do and thinking he is dead or alive. I bitterly started crying and people start consoling me. I saw in mobile it was 11 am and my son died after few minutes.
Though we rushed to Janta hospital but he was declared dead. My younger son Mobin with other 4 neighbours took the body of Moin to his uncles' house in Rewari Talab. Policemen came after looking the mob and took Moin's body in his custody for the postmortem.
After bringing Moin's body to home, police were in numerous than the public in front of my house. Police was pressurizing for immediate burial of my son killed in the firing in presence of them, the burial place at around 5.30am.
Please see Mukhtar's testimony in Hindi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDkoZA63K5E
And Mr. Salim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A0pcrw0rxM
On 13th March, 2009 FIR lodged against Shamsher Singh In-charge of Bazardiha police out-post, R.B. Singh Station House Officer of Bhelupur police station, Babu Lal local leader, Vijay Vishawakarma, local corporator, Sanjay Nath Tiwari Station House Officer of Sigra police station, Rajkumar and Mata Prasad under section 302, 307, 147,148, 149, 504, 506, 337, 295, of Indian Penal Code.
FIR can be viewed at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/22246779/FIR-in-the-case-of-Bazardiha-police-firing
Senior Superintendent of Police, Varanasi submitted to NHRC in letter no. 52089/24/72/08-09 (group III) that, on holi mischievous tried to disturb communal harmony by throwing color on Gausia Madarsa. Administration takes appropriate action on appropriate time to control the mob by using police force. Police did air firing on the order of the magistrate to helter the mob. In the air firing two were killed and eight mischievous were injured, who were throwing stone from the roof.
However the postmortem report of Moin and Khalikujama proves the direct police firing. Please see FIR: http://www.scribd.com/doc/22246596/Post-Mortem-Report-of-Moin,
http://www.scribd.com/doc/22246660/Post-Mortem-Report-of-Khaliku-Jama
Mukhtar says, "Police had been forcing me to change the statement. If do not fall in line then they would implicate my son in false case. Constant threats are given to me as I have dared to take up the cudgels on behalf of the deceased and survivors,"
Other revelent fact:
However a Shanti Samiti (Peace Committee) had been set up by the District Administration. It consists of administration, police and Hindu and Muslim leader. The two festival Holi and Eid –E – Milad –Un – Nabi (Barawafat) were lying together. Masum Rahman who participated in the peace committee says, "Minority shared in the peace committee then also police did not take any action..."
Background information:
Bajardiha is one of the most densely populated areas in Varanasi city. The total population of Bajardiha is more than 100,000 and most of them are weavers and living in appalling condition. In the concerned weavers' community of Bajardiha there is only one government Primary school for children's education, there is no hospital, no road, even there is no pavement in the locality. The sewer system does not work there. Everywhere in the area, stagnant and dirty water of sewer can be seen overflowing. The dump of rubbish is spread around the area which is not sanitary safe for the residents. Due to acute poverty and unhygienic conditions many people of this community, including children, are suffering from TB and Asthma. It is alleged that Varanasi Municipal Corporation is also responsible for the plight situation of the residents of Bajardiha.
Due to breakdown of the economy in the market of Baranasi sarees, weavers' community of Bajardiha have found difficulties to get job and the people are facing imminent problem of starvation. Thousands of weavers have been migrated to other cities leaving their families behind in search of livelihood; many others are involved in menial jobs to feed their families and children.
It is ironic to know that Muslim population in India has been facing the negligence and indifferent attitude of Indian ruling authorities and local level administrations since independence of India. It has been the root cause of all sorts of backwardness and poverty among Muslim community. They have been subjected to acute exploitation and for this reason despite of hard labour majority of Muslim population has always been deprived of their essential requirements
Sample letter:
To,
………………………….
…………………………..
Name of survivors:
1. Mohammad Moin Akhtar (died) aged 22 years son of Mr Mukhtar Ahmad resident of Galla Bazardiha under Bhelupura police station.
2. Khalik-uj-jama (died) aged 19 years son of Mohammad Salim resident of Rajanagar Murgiyaatola under Bazardiha police station.
3. Abdul Rahman (Injured) aged 23 years son of Abdul Badd.
4. Akbar Ali (Injured) aged 25 years son of Asagar Ali.
5. Mohammad Asalam (injured) aged 25 years son of Shobarati.
6. Gulzar Ahmad (Injured) aged 20 years son of Nasim Akhatar.
7. Abdul Salaam (Injured) aged 20 years son of Dildar Ahmad.
8. Dildar (Injured) son of Sageer.
9. Ansar Ahmad (Injured) son of Sharfuddin.
10. Vaseem Ahmad (Injured) aged 24 years son of Riyaz Ahmad
Name of Perpetrators:
1. Shamsher Singh In-charge of Bazardiha police out-post
2. R.B. Singh Station House Officer of Bhelupur police station
3. Babu Lal local leader
4. Vijay Vishawakarma, local corporator
5. Other police men who involved in firing.
Place of incidence: Kholua Maszid, Bazardiha, Varanasi
Date of Incidence: 11th March, 09 on holi festival
Dear ……………………,
I want to draw your attention towards the indiscriminate police firing happened on 11th March, 09 in Bazardiha, Varanasi. It gulps the life of two youngsters Mr. Moin Akhtar and Mr. Khali-uj –Jama while other eight people had been injured. The injured have been admitted in a Laxmi Medical and Surgical Centre, a private hospital in Varanasi. The person who died or injured are mostly the weavers
I am informed that on 11th March, 09 Mata Prasad hold Matkafod in front of his house and Hindu people Bazardiha, Khojawa, Patiya and Sudamapur gathered there. They burst Matki (small earthen jar) at 10:30 in the morning. The procession moves off to Kohlua mosque in the emissary of BJP member Mr. Vijay Viswakarma. They fling dirt, colors and wine bottle and roared slogan.
Few elder people asked to the 25 – 35 policemen posted near Mosque about the misbehaving Police ignored and precedes to the place of the matkafod. Meanwhile a stone from the Mata Prasad house hit on the solder of one police and the angered policemen start broking his door. In wee another stone from opposite side hit the wall. Agitated policemen and Shamsher Singh, police check post incharge started firing. There was no order for the firing neither prior alarm.
I am also aware Police pressurize deceased family for immediate burial of the dead body. On 13th March, 2009 FIR lodged against Shamsher Singh In-charge of Bazardiha police out-post, R.B. Singh Station House Officer of Bhelupur police station, Babu Lal local leader, Vijay Vishawakarma, local corporator, Sanjay Nath Tiwari Station House Officer of Sigra police station, Rajkumar and Mata Prasad under section 302, 307, 147,148, 149, 504, 506, 337, 295, of Indian Penal Code.
I am aware still the hapless survivors have not been given any compensation but Police had been forcing Mr. Mukhtar Ahmed to change the statement. If he does not fall in line then they would implicate his son in false case. Constant threats are given to him as he had dared to take up the cudgels on behalf of the deceased and survivors.
I am also aware Shanti Samiti (Peace Committee) had been set up by the District Administration. It consists of administration, police and Hindu and Muslim leader. The two festival Holi and Eid –E – Milad –Un – Nabi (Barawafat) were lying together. Masum Rahman who participated in the peace committee says, minority shared in the peace committee then also police did not take any action.
Since 2005, Holi revelers had been assiduously trying to engineer communal discord in Bazardiha. These miscreants throw colours on the mosque; write filthy invectives on its wall targeting the Muslims. Police collude with the goons and kill the poor weavers.
Request:
Therefore it is kind request to take immediate appropriate action and provide compensation to the families of the deceased and injured persons. Set up an independent enquiry of the case by CBCID. To start cluster development scheme in Varanasi under Minority targeted town.
Thanking You
………………………
Please send letter to:
1.Mr. Chitambaram
Home Minister
North Block
New Delhi 110 001
INDIA
Fax: + 91 11 2379483
2.Director General of Police
1-Tilak Marg, Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: + 91 522 220 6120 / 220 6174
E-mail: police@up.nic.in
3. Chief Minister
Government of Uttar Pradesh
Chief Minister's Secretariat
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: + 91 52 2223 0002 / 2223 9234
E-mail: csup@up.nic.in
4. Inspector General of Police
Varanasi Zone
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Email: igzonevns@up.nic.in
5. The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission of India
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg
New Delhi 110001
INDIA
Fax: +91 11 23384863
Email: chairnhrc@nic.in
6. Dr.Sayeda Hameed
Member,Planning Comission
Yojana Bhawan,
Sansad marg,New delhi
Pin-110001,India
Email: s.hameed@nic.in,s.hameed@yojana.nic.in
7.Chief Secretary
Government of Uttar Pradesh
Shri Lal Bhadur Shastri Bhavan
Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: +91 52 2223 9283
Email: csup@up.nic.in
8. Chief Minister
Government of Uttar Pradesh
Chief Minister's Secretariat
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: + 91 52 2223 0002 / 2223 9234
E-mail: cmup@up.nic.in
9.Governor of Uttar Pradesh
Raj Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
Fax: + 91 522 222 3892
E-mail: hgovup@up.nic.in
10. Chief Justice, Allahabad High Court
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
INDIA
E-mail: rg@allahabadhighcourt.in
11. Prime Minister of India
South Block, New Delhi,India
Email: pmosb@pmo.nic.in
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)
