[Reader-list] Jamia Nagar Jan Sunwai

[Nagraj Adve]

This would interest folks on this list.
Naga

Verdict of the Jan Sunwai Jury

Academics and activists seek Judicial probe into the 19th September
encounter by a sitting Supreme Court judge;
Demand that investigations be handed over to the Central Bureau of
Investigations

A Jan Sunwai on the Batla House 'Encounter' was organized by the Jamia
Teachers' Solidarity Group outside Khalilullah Masjid in Jamia Nagar
on 12th October (Sunday).  The following scholars and activists
associated with civil rights movement constituted the jury:

Swami  Agnivesh, Member, National Integration Council
John Dayal, Member, National Integration Council
Tanika Sarkar, Professor of History, JNU
Tripta Wahi, Rtd. Professor of History, Delhi University
Vijay Singh, Professor of History, Delhi University
Nirmalangshu Mukherji, Professor of Philosophy, Delhi University
Harsh Mandar, Social Activist

The need to hold a Public Hearing in the neighbourhood became
imperative to counter the increasing communalization of public
discourse in relation to the issue of terrorism and its association
with the Muslim community. The on-going targeting of the community by
the media and the different institutions of the State as well as
political parties has increased the sense of alienation and fear. To
overcome this situation and to extend solidarity to the community
residing in the Jamia Nagar area particularly by members of the
liberal, secular, democratic intelligentsia belonging to different
communities created a space of dialogue. This act of solidarity was
welcomed by the people who attended in thousands to be part of the
deliberations.
After hearing over a dozen testimonies given by local residents, the
jury observed the following.
A)     The people of Jamia Nagar participated overwhelmingly in the
Jan Sunwai. The predominant sentiment among the local residents about
the 'encounter' is one of anger and disbelief. This feeling was
articulated by the participants and those who gave testimony. Local
residents have taken strong exception to the stereotyping of young
Muslim educated youth in this area and also in general as terrorists.
The links that the media and the state is making between education,
especially professional technical education among the Muslim youth and
terrorism has fueled fears that it will inhibit the progress and
social advancement of the community.
B)      It is noted that prior to moving to L-18, the deceased had
verifications proofs in place with the local police. Sajid had
appeared for his 11th class examination at Jamia School and all
address details were genuine. Atif had enrolled in Jamia Millia
islamia. Till date, all identification records submitted by them have
been found to be true. The verification details for obtaining their
mobile connections are also genuine. These proofs establish the
credibility of the boys killed in the encounter as students seeking
opportunities and a career in the city.
C)      The statement by people who bathed the bodies of the dead boys
before their burial was striking: they testified that the skin on
Atif's back was sloughed off; there were multiple bullet injuries on
Sajid's head. These cast aspersions on the police version.
D)     On the nature of firing, all residents uniformly testified that
the firing happened in quick succession punctuated by short intervals
for nearly an hour after Inspector Sharma was brought down. The
members of the locality raised questions about the long duration of
firing in L-18. The death of Inspector Sharma too is shrouded in
mystery.
E)      The witnesses also expressed their anguish about the way in
which the police kept the community on tenterhooks about the burial of
the bodies. The handing over of the bodies was delayed and the entire
process was marked by complete lack of sensitivity in relation to the
dead. The Jury feels that minimum human sensibilities must be
respected regardless of the charges against the dead.

The jury strongly feels that there is ample ground to doubt the
veracity of the police version of the sequence of events on 19th
September. Following these observations in the jan sunwai, the Jury
demands:
A)     Judicial probe into the 19th September encounter by a sitting
Supreme Court judge
B)      The investigations must be handed over to the Central Bureau
of Investigations.
The jury is of the view that the on-going targeting of the Muslim
minority in the country has created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety.
The complete disregard and violation of fundamental civil rights in
the process of the State's efforts to control 'terrorist' activities
has raised questions regarding the secular character of the Indian
democracy and the impartiality of its institutions. The widespread
sense of alienation among the minorities can only be mitigated by
ensuring justice.

Released by the Jamia teachers' Solidarity Group