A ten days TOT workshop on Testimony Therapy for the survivors of torture and organized violence was held at Silchar, Cachar, Assam. The program was organized by the joint endeavor of Barak Human Rights Protection Committee (BHRPC), Peoples Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), Rehabilitation and Research Center for Torture Victims (RCT) and National Alliance on Testimony Therapy (NATT). As a part of the workshop a ceremonial honor was awarded to the survivors of torture and organized violence, who are struggling for justice on the 13th September, 2011. On the 10th December, 2011 BHRPC organized another meeting to honour the torture victims at Banga Bhawan,Silchar and thus to observe the International Human Rights Day. Dignified personalities of the locality attended the Honor Ceremony. The meeting was presided over by Mr. Manindra Sankar Gupta (Retd. ACS), the Chairperson of BHRPC.
At the outset Mr. Sadique Mohammed Laskar, the Joint Secretary of BHRPC delivered the welcome address, and also gave a brief idea on Testimony Therapy. The president took chair and thereafter Mr. Imad Uddin Bulbul (Advocate), Ms Bithika Acharya (Advocate), Mr. Mujammil Ali (Advocate), Mr. Shourindra Kumar Bhattacharya (Lecturer, Cachar College), Mr. Abid Raja Majumder (Retd. Principal, Nehru College) Mr. Makabbir Ali Barbhuiya (PG Teacher) took chairs in the dais.
A printed booklet containing the Bengali translation of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights was distributed in the hall. Mr. Neharul Ahmed Ahmed Mazumder (Secretary General of BHRPC) elaborated some parts of the UDHR and informed the audience about various laws against torture. He added that democracy is possible in a torture free environment. Mr. Imad Uddin Bulbul says that BHRPC is working to make Barak Valley free from all forms of torture and ill treatment.
Mr. Faruk Ahmed Barbhuiya, member of BHRPC read the testimony of Mr. Ranjit Roy who is the victim of torture by the personnel of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Mr. Ranjit Roy is a shopkeeper who survived from the jaws of death. Mr. Roy was called upon the stage and honored with garlands and Uttaria (Shawl), at the same time slogans against torture as well as slogans hailing Mr. Roy’s struggle for justice raised in the hall. Mr. Imad Uddin Bulbul handed over the beautifully printed testimony to Mr. Ranjit Roy. The hall was filled with claps and slogans. Ranjit also delivered a short speech.
Mr. Nehar Uddin’s testimony was read by Mr. Mrinal Kanti Shome. He was tortured by his neighbours and lost his mental and physical strength. He is a day labourer and a very poor person. His wife Safirun Nessa was raped by their enemy. But the police was allegedly negligent to their complaint. Safirun Nessa’s testimony was read earlier in private. Both of them were honoured with garlands and Shawls. Their testimonies were handed over by Mr. Manindra Sankar Gupta and Ms Bithika acharya. The hall filled with the loud sounds of claps and slogans.
Mr. Hussain Ahmed Laskar a poor mason apprentice, tortured by the personnel of the Indian Army in front of his family members and in Army camp. Hussain lost his physical and mental strength. His testimony was read by Asab Uddin Barlaskar and thereafter he was called upon the stage and honored. His testimony was handed over by Mr. Abid Raja Majumder. Mr. Choudhury Charan Gorh, an activist was tortured by an organized group of miscreants for protesting against corruption. His testimony was read by Aftabur Rahman and was handed over by Mr Abid Raja Majumder. Mr. Nurul Alom Laskar, a driver was tortured by the CRPF personnel. His testimony was read by Miss Sarmila Singha and was handed over by Mr Mujammil Ali Laskar. Mr. Ataur Rahman Majumder, a teacher was tortured by the Indian Army personnel. His testimony was read by Miss Nasim Akhtar Majumder and was handed over by Mr Mujammil Ali Laskar. Mr. Surman Ali Laskar, a farmer was tortured by the Indian Army personnel. His testimony was read by Miss Perbin Sultana and was handed over by Mr. Makabbir Ali Barbhuiya. Mr. Riaz Uddin Choudhury was tortured by the Indian Army personnel. His testimony was read by Mr. Najir Hussain Laskar and was handed over by Ms Bithika Acharya. Mr. Raju Kar was tortured by the Indian Army personnel. His testimony was read by Mr. Biswajit Das and was handed over by Mr Imad Uddin Bulbul. Mr. Alom Hussain Barbhuiya, a businessman was tortured by the Indian Army personnel. His testimony was read by Mr. Abdul Wakil and was handed over by Mr Shourindra Kumar Bhattacharya. Mr. Sams Uddin Laskar, a student was tortured by the Indian Army personnel. His testimony was read by Mr. Snigdha Nath and was handed over by Mr Manindra Sankar Gupta. Mrs. Kimati Rani Das a housewife and a victim of rape by her Father-in-law and torture by her in-laws. Her testimony was handed over by Ms Bithika Acharya. Each of them was called upon the stage and honoured with garland and Shawl. The audience loaded the hall with the sounds of claps and slogans.
Miss Mina Begum a victim already honoured delivered a short speech describing how she came out of trauma by testimony therapy. The eminent personalities and the activists delivered speeches on various aspects of human rights and the works of BHRPC. BHRPC also honoured Mr. Shyamendra Malakar a victim of torture by organized group of miscreants who were nourished by the political bigwigs and hence allegedly backed by the police. Shymendra recently approached BHRPC.
The meeting ended after thanks from and to the Chair.
Glimpse of testimony ceremony: https://picasaweb.google.com/104017757952983176993/SearchResultsForDesktop?authkey=Gv1sRgCPfp0Oitk87klQE#
