Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Empowering Stories: Triumphs Over Injustice and Acts of Compassion

 Successful Story 1: A Tale of Triumph Over Injustice

 In June 2022, a minor dispute in the village of Palia, Azamgarh district, took a harrowing turn, orchestrated by two police personnel. Swift and brutal, the onslaught unfolded as police, accompanied by officials from five stations, descended on the Pasi Dalit colony with JCBs. Electricity was cut, homes were demolished, and women were subjected to misbehavior during a relentless two-day police rampage.

 Men evacuated the area out of fear, leaving women without shelter for 21 days. With the intervention of the local MLA, food supplies were arranged. The police unjustly filed serious charges against 250 individuals, prompting a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission (Case no 20045/24/6/2021), New Delhi.

 In 2023, our team provided psycho-social support through testimonial therapy. Discussions on reconciliation ensued, proposing compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh from each involved police personnel. An impressive amount of Rs 41 lakh was disbursed to the victims' families, marking an unexpected turn towards reconciliation and standing as a testament to resilience against injustice.

 

Successful Story 2Justice Served and Healing for Mrs. Reena

 

In 2021, tragedy struck Reena's family with the custodial death of her husband, Krishan Murari. A formal complaint to the Honorable National Human Rights Commission (Case no. 12227/24/69/2021-ad) prompted an investigation. Revelations unveiled Krishan Murari's suicide in District Jail, Sonbhadra, leading to the suspension of Jail Warder Shrikant Yadav.

The Commission recommended compensation of Rs. Five Lakhs (five hundred Thousand Indian Rupees) for Krishan Murari's family, and a notice under Section 18(a) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, was dispatched to the Uttar Pradesh government. Justice was set in motion, ensuring accountability and compensation.

 

Reena's journey to healing began in 2022 when our support team provided psycho-social assistance through testimonial therapy. In 2023, the Commission's decision for compensation marked a significant stride towards justice, bringing closure to Krishan Murari's family.

 

Empowering Reena's future was a collaborative effort in 2023. With IRCT's support, a holistic approach provided a goat and vegetable seeds for kitchen gardening, aiding Reena in rebuilding her life and envisioning a brighter future. Her story is brought to light, and Lenin Raghuvanshi, a Uttar Pradesh-based social activist, observes that the BJP has been employing a feudal tactic to manage crime by instilling a climate of fear among the populace: “This contradicts the principles of modern criminal justice system.”

In 2010, the United Progressive Alliance government introduced anti-torture legislation to the lower house of India’s Parliament. However, it was ultimately shelved. [Source: https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2023/06/women-struggle-while-men-die-in-custody_19.html]

 

 

Successful Story 3: In Pursuit of Justice: The Acquittal of Paru Sonkar

 

A notable legal triumph was achieved with the district court's acquittal of Paru Sonkar. Wrongfully implicated in a homicide case, Paru Sonkar's exoneration not only highlights the project's commitment to justice but also serves as a testament to the effectiveness of legal interventions in challenging and rectifying wrongful accusations. This collective effort involved Dr. Lenin's advocacy, media support, and the impactful letter penned by senior lawyer Mr. Tanweer Ahmed Siddiqui, stirring the conscience of those in power.

[Related Links: https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2023/09/triumph-of-truth-paru-sonkars-acquittal.html and https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2023/09/reshams-journey-tale-of-hope-redemption.html]

 

Successful stories 4: Impactful Moments of Empowerment and Compassion

 

The project received substantial media support, with both print and electronic outlets covering the folk school and honor ceremonies. Mr. Ajay Prakash, the editor of JanJawar, undertook personal visits to survivors' homes, meticulously documenting the patterns of torture, the challenges faced, and the services provided. https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2023/09/mr-ajay-prakashs-visit-to-pvchr-irct.html

https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2023/09/voices-of-resilience-triumph-justice.html

 

A significant event unfolded in Varanasi on June 28, 2023, where Shri Ashutosh Sinha, an advocate, Member of the Legislative Council, and Chairman of the Sadbhav Committee, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest for the program "Rehabilitation through Reintegration." Organized jointly by Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN) and the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), with support from the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), the program was further honored by the United Nations Trust Fund for Torture Victims (UN Trust Fund for Torture Victim). Shri Ashutosh Sinha shared insights on livelihood options and pledged support to survivors in his elected area. Witnessing the recognition and respect bestowed upon survivors was a privilege, showcasing their exceptional determination and resilience in the pursuit of justice. They stand as exemplary role models, demonstrating the efficacy of constitutional means to attain justice. For further details, please visit http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2023/07/varanasi-on-un-day-in-support-of.html

 

On August 20, 2023, an act of compassion illuminated the horizon, thanks to the generous support of Ms. Helma Ritshcer and the Indo-German Society in Remschied, Germany. A beautiful gift unfolded as three thousand fruit-bearing plants were donated, symbolizing not only livelihood but also nourishment – a poignant reminder that humanity persists amidst adversity. This tree planting initiative, aiming at environmental preservation and livelihood enhancement, took root in Ghasiya Basti, Ramp Gram. The ambitious project included the planting of guava, lemon, saagwan (teak), and bamboo saplings. Shri Pakauri Lal Kol, the esteemed Member of Parliament for the district, inaugurated the initiative by planting saagwan saplings on August 20, 2023, in Robertsganj, Raup Village. More details can be found at http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2023/08/empowering-communities-through.html

 

A momentous occasion unfolded on January 20, 2023, during the inauguration of Krishna Gold Jewellery and Diamond Shop in Ayodhya. Seizing the opportunity to contribute significantly to empowerment, we distributed 10 sewing machines. The list of beneficiaries has been meticulously compiled and submitted for your reference. Continuing our commitment, an additional 3 sewing machines were distributed during the inaugural session on the same day. Recognizing the importance of outreach and collaboration, 14 machines were handed over to Mr. Manoj Kumar Singh of Ambedkarnagar for distribution. On January 30, 2023, we reinforced our dedication to empowerment by distributing the remaining 14 machines, specifically allocated to women who have faced organized violence and torture. This initiative aims to provide them with a means of self-sufficiency and resilience.

 

Unveiling Injustice: The Plight of Tribal Youths and Police Brutality

 

Tribal youths ensnared in false cases have been embroiled in legal battles for years, resulting in profound devastation for their families. Particularly concerning is the pattern of police brutality inflicted upon the SC/ST tribal community, where innocent individuals are coerced from police stations to fulfill jail cleaning duties. Numerous cases have surfaced where individuals have languished behind bars for years without their families' knowledge. Moreover, there is a disturbing trend of custodial murders being disguised as suicides, while visible signs of bodily harm point to instances of police brutality. These revelations, shedding light on police misconduct, have been bravely brought to attention by women and child rights activist Shruti Nagvanshi. Janjwar.com, a news site, recently published her insightful interview, which is based on lessons learned from our Project. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjj3atUAz2M

https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2024/02/unveiling-injustice-plight-of-tribal.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The project garnered extensive media support, with print and electronic outlets covering the folk school and honor ceremonies. Mr. Ajay Prakash, the editor of JanJawar, personally visited the survivors' homes, documenting the patterns of torture, the challenges faced, and the services provided.

 

A significant event unfolded in Varanasi on June 28, 2023, where Shri Ashutosh Sinha, an advocate, Member of the Legislative Council, and Chairman of the Sadbhav Committee, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest for the program "Rehabilitation through Reintegration." Organized jointly by Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN) and the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), with support from the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), the program was further honored by the United Nations Trust Fund for Torture Victims (UN Trust Fund for Torture Victim). Shri Ashutosh Sinha shared insights on livelihood options and pledged support to survivors in his elected area. Witnessing the recognition and respect bestowed upon survivors was a privilege, showcasing their exceptional determination and resilience in the pursuit of justice. They stand as exemplary role models, demonstrating the efficacy of constitutional means to attain justice. For further details, please visit http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2023/07/varanasi-on-un-day-in-support-of.html

 

On August 20, 2023, an act of compassion illuminated the horizon, thanks to the generous support of Ms. Helma Ritshcer and the Indo-German Society in Remschied, Germany. A beautiful gift unfolded as three thousand fruit-bearing plants were donated, symbolizing not only livelihood but also nourishment – a poignant reminder that humanity persists amidst adversity. This tree planting initiative, aiming at environmental preservation and livelihood enhancement, took root in Ghasiya Basti, Ramp Gram. The ambitious project included the planting of guava, lemon, saagwan (teak), and bamboo saplings. Shri Pakauri Lal Kol, the esteemed Member of Parliament for the district, inaugurated the initiative by planting saagwan saplings on August 20, 2023, in Robertsganj, Raup Village. More details can be found at http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2023/08/empowering-communities-through.html

 

 

A momentous occasion unfolded on January 20, 2023, during the inauguration of Krishna Gold Jewellery and Diamond Shop in Ayodhya. Seizing the opportunity to contribute significantly to empowerment, we distributed 10 sewing machines. The list of beneficiaries has been meticulously compiled and submitted for your reference. Continuing our commitment, an additional 3 sewing machines were distributed during the inaugural session on the same day. Recognizing the importance of outreach and collaboration, 14 machines were handed over to Mr. Manoj Kumar Singh of Ambedkarnagar for distribution. On January 30, 2023, we reinforced our dedication to empowerment by distributing the remaining 14 machines, specifically allocated to women who have faced organized violence and torture. This initiative aims to provide them with a means of self-sufficiency and resilience.