[Reader-list] Disregarding Ambulances in Kashmir

[Pawan Durani]

I recollect in 1990 , the curfew was extended for many days . Only
ambulance and police vehicles were allowed.

Even during those days the ambulance were used to ferry terrorists and
arms from one part of Srinagar city to other .

So sad that people in Kashmir never condemn this and explain that
ambulances are for their own and meant for emergency needs.

Pawan

On Wed, Jul 1, 2009 at 4:42 PM, anupam chakravartty<c.anupam at gmail.com> wrote:
> Mobs torching ambulances is the worse thing that could happen. it can happen
> only when there is no proper medical facility at a given place or the
> ambulance doesnt reach on time. it is important before suggesting a remedial
> measure, that too when one has already described it as a mob, one needs to
> find the reason why a mob would do such a thing. again, this comment is not
> to justify the act, this is to put an end to such acts of utter idiocy that
> people resort to during the times of strife. sending them to discuss throw
> competition is easier for anyone to say, as it is very easy to write a
> comment (mine or yours) but it would be appreciated if such remedial
> measures are not suggested. moreover, in case the post about burning
> ambulance suggests even in a light and jestful manner that the angry mobs
> participating in such incidents can divert their energies onto something
> else as suggested by you -- sports, then i guess they should also be
> provided with those opportunities where they can divert their anger.
> unfortunately, for sports can only happen when you have the right kind of
> spirit -- also called the sporting spirit -- which is not possible with so
> much anger and frustration. however, with the occupation of hatefilled
> forces of CRPF or Separatists, these mere needs become ideals. in case if
> you are wondering about humanity in a mob, you better run.
> On 7/1/09, Aditya Raj Kaul <kauladityaraj at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Just heard in news, Mob torched an ambulance in Baramulla. Wonder who acts
>> against humanity now ?
>>
>> Hope these unarmed stone throwers instead concentrate on demanding justice
>> for the victims of shopian and other rape victims - with religion no bar.
>> Its insane to butter politics out of this sensitive issue.
>>
>> Or else they can try their luck in any International Disc (Discuss) throw
>> competition, since they won't take part in Indian National games :P
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Jul 1, 2009 at 3:20 PM, Aditya Raj Kaul <kauladityaraj at gmail.com
>> >wrote:
>>
>> > I pray someday OCCUPATION of Kashmir by force of
>> > terrorists/separatists/fundamentalists ends. The mindset needs to change,
>> > for this to happen sometime in future.
>> >
>> > In solidarity with the victims of separatist violence.
>> >
>> > On Wed, Jul 1, 2009 at 4:08 AM, Shuddhabrata Sengupta <shuddha at sarai.net
>> >wrote:
>> >
>> >> Dear Junaid,
>> >>
>> >> Many thanks for these details from Kashmir, they are, as always,
>> >> saddening. The loss of life, and the fact that the CRPF have once
>> >> again attacked unarmed protestors with bullets is deeply shameful,
>> >> and that they prevented ambulances from reaching the injured is
>> >> shocking. It is as if those who administer the occupation of Kashmir
>> >> have no remorse for their bloody record and no capacity either, to
>> >> accept the humanity of those they 'encounter' on the streets with
>> >> weapons. As an Indian citizen, I am ashamed every time this happens.
>> >>
>> >> I also appreciate and respect the trouble taken by you to post a
>> >> thoughtful and critical reply to my postings on Iran. I have read it,
>> >> and will do so again, carefully, and respond, in detail. Our
>> >> differences on Iran will probably remain, but this does not mean, as
>> >> you point out that we are incapable of solidarity on matters, closer
>> >> to home, both for you and for me.
>> >>
>> >> Warm regards, and in solidarity, and with the hope that someday, the
>> >> occupation of Kashmir by the force of arms will end
>> >>
>> >> Shuddha
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On 01-Jul-09, at 3:44 AM, Junaid wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > Thought some of you might be interested in what is happening in
>> >> > Kashmir.
>> >> >
>> >> > Kashmir Shuts Down To Protest Killings
>> >> >
>> >> >  ALTAF BABA / GOWHAR BHAT
>> >> >
>> >> > Varmul On Boil
>> >> >
>> >> > Varmul/Srinagar, June 29: A youth was killed and a minor sustained
>> >> > critical injuries when paramilitary CRPF troopers opened fire to quell
>> >> > protesters at Varmul in north Kashmir, while the Valley observed a
>> >> > complete shutdown in response to the strike call given by the Hurriyat
>> >> > Conference (G) against the killing of two youth in police firing on
>> >> > Monday.
>> >> >  Witnesses told Greater Kashmir that late this evening hundreds of
>> >> > youth took to the streets at Khanpora, Varmul and tried taking out a
>> >> > procession. “Paramilitary troopers deployed there opened fire on the
>> >> > peaceful demonstrators injuring a youth Fayaz Ahmed Gojri. Bullet
>> >> > pierced through his chest and he started bleeding profusely. We called
>> >> > the hospital and asked for an ambulance. But CRPF troopers didn’t
>> >> > allow the ambulance to enter Khanpora and he succumbed to his
>> >> > injuries,” they added.
>> >> >
>> >> >  After the word about his death spread, hundreds of men, women and
>> >> > children raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans poured on to the
>> >> > streets demanding withdrawal of  CRPF from the town. “Within 2-days,
>> >> > three youth have been killed and scores injured many of them
>> >> > critically. The CRPF should be withdrawn from the town,” protesters
>> >> > said.
>> >> >  They vowed to continue the protests till the CRPF was withdrawn.
>> >> >
>> >> >  Earlier in the morning hundreds of youth defied the curfew in the
>> >> > Varmul town and took to the streets to give vent to their ire.
>> >> > Protesters were demanding action against the policemen and troopers
>> >> > who had opened fire on the protesters yesterday in which two youth
>> >> > were killed.
>> >> >
>> >> >  “As they tried to march ahead, police and CRPF men used force to
>> >> > quell them. They burst tear smoke canisters and later fired upon the
>> >> > protesters injuring scores of them. A bullet hit a minor Bilal Bashir,
>> >> > 15, son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat near Cement Bridge. He was shifted to
>> >> > Srinagar for specialized treatment,” they said. Doctors attending upon
>> >> > Bilal termed his condition to be critical.
>> >> >
>> >> >  According to the witnesses, an official of the 46 Rashtriya Rifles
>> >> > and his men along with a few civilians were beaten by the CRPF
>> >> > troopers when they were shifting Bilal to hospital in an army vehicle.
>> >> > “As the vehicle reached the main chowk we were stopped by the CRPF
>> >> > men. They dragged us and the RR personnel out of the vehicle and beat
>> >> > us,” said Javed Ahmad who was in the vehicle.
>> >> >
>> >> > PROTESTS IN SOPUR, BANDIPORE
>> >> >
>> >> >  Protests also rocked several areas of Sopur including Badambagh,
>> >> > Batapora and Chankhan where youth defied the curfew. Protesters
>> >> > raising pro-freedom and anti-CRPF slogans marched through the streets.
>> >> > They were demanding action against the erring troopers who opened fire
>> >> > on the peaceful demonstrators. Policemen and troopers who were
>> >> > deployed in the strength in the area beat them up with batons and
>> >> > fired tear smoke canisters to disperse them. However, youth retaliated
>> >> > with stones, triggering clashes which continued till late in the
>> >> > evening.
>> >> >
>> >> >  The protests also spilled to Bandipore district where eight persons
>> >> > including two policemen were injured in the clashes between police and
>> >> > protesters.  At main town, Bandipore, youth held protests which were
>> >> > dealt with force by police. However, protesters showed resistance by
>> >> > hurling stones. Half a dozen persons including two policemen were
>> >> > injured in the clashes.
>> >> >
>> >> >  At Sumbal, people held protests and blocked the Srinagar-Bandipore
>> >> > road by burning tyres and erecting blockades. The protesters later
>> >> > dispersed off peacefully.
>> >> >  In Kupwara, authorities had imposed curfew-like restrictions as
>> >> > police and paramilitary troopers blocked the Sopur-Kupwara road.
>> >> > Locals said the policemen didn’t allow them to move out of their
>> >> > homes. Kupwara and Handwara towns observed a complete shutdown.
>> >> >
>> >> > SRINAGAR
>> >> >  Life remained crippled in Srinagar city in response to the Hurriyat’s
>> >> > call even as protests were held at a few places.
>> >> >
>> >> >  At Maisuma, Gaw kadal and Nowhatta, youth staged protest
>> >> > demonstrations against the Varmul killings. However, police and CRPF
>> >> > troopers, deployed in strength, suppressed protests by teargas
>> >> > shelling in which two women were injured.
>> >> >
>> >> >  Witnesses said a teargas shell hit a woman on her hand while another
>> >> > was run over near Gaw Kadal.
>> >> >
>> >> >  All the shops, educational institutions, banks and government offices
>> >> > remained closed. Barring civil secretariat, attendance in the
>> >> > government offices was nil. Public transport remained off the roads.
>> >> > However, in uptown areas, private vehicles could be seen plying
>> >> > intermittently.
>> >> >
>> >> > SOUTH KASHMIR
>> >> >
>> >> >  In Islamabad district, clashes broke out between the police and
>> >> > protestors early in the morning at several places including Cheeni
>> >> > Chowk and Malakhnag localities. The protestors came out on the roads
>> >> > and started raising pro-freedom and anti-army slogans.  The Police and
>> >> > CRPF resorted to baton charge to disperse them. Later CRPF and police
>> >> > personnel beat up several pedestrians and arrested several youth for
>> >> > holding demos. Youth again regrouped in the afternoon and held
>> >> > protests at Reshi Bagh. At Cheeni Chowk, youth attacked a CRPF bunker
>> >> > with stones but were later chased away by troopers. The protests
>> >> > continued till late evening.
>> >> >
>> >> > A complete shutdown was observed in the entire district as shops,
>> >> > business and offices remained closed.
>> >> >
>> >> >  Normal life also came to stand still in the neighbouring Kulgam
>> >> > district in view of the complete strike. Reports of shutdown were also
>> >> > received from Pulwama district.
>> >> > **********************************************************************
>> >> > ***********************
>> >> >
>> >> > Custodial Disappearance
>> >> >
>> >> > KHALID GUL
>> >> >
>> >> > Larkipora (Dooru), June 30: People of Larkipora in Dooru demonstrated
>> >> > for the second consecutive day on Tuesday against the enforced
>> >> > custodial disappearance of a teenager by the troops of 36 Rashtriya
>> >> > Rifles battalion of army, and vowed to intensify agitation if the
>> >> > government fails to find the boy in two days.
>> >> >
>> >> > Basharat Ahmad, 16, son of Muhammad Maqbool Bhat of Chakpath,
>> >> > Larkipora was summoned by the troops of 36 Rashtriya Rifles to their
>> >> > camp on Sunday morning, but he is missing since. The Commanding
>> >> > Officer of 36 RR, Colonel Sundaram, admitted on Monday that army had
>> >> > called Basharat to the camp at 9:30 AM on Sunday. “It was just a
>> >> > routine visit and nothing else.  Thereafter he left from here at
>> >> > around 1:00 PM,” he said.
>> >> >  Bashir Ahmad Bhat, who heads Action Committee formed by villagers on
>> >> > Tuesday, said, “We ask the government to tell us whereabouts of
>> >> > Basharat in two days. After that we will be forced to take extreme
>> >> > steps.”
>> >> >  “The government has passed instructions that army should inform local
>> >> > police before summoning or releasing a person. In this case, the boy
>> >> > was called to the camp and then released without informing us,” said a
>> >> > top police official.
>> >> >
>> >> > Showkat Ahmad, elder brother of Basharat, said, “He is very dear to
>> >> > everyone because he is youngest in our family. We have been trying to
>> >> > convince mother that he is safe but she is very worried. And we are
>> >> > concerned about her too because she is a cardiac patient.”
>> >> >
>> >> >  Meanwhile, people of Chakpath and some adjacent villages demonstrated
>> >> > against Basharat’s disappearance. They shouted pro-freedom and
>> >> > anti-army slogans and blocked Veerinag-Dooru road with barricades and
>> >> > burning tyres. Mirwaiz Islamabad Qazi Yasir addressed the protesters
>> >> > and supported the two day deadline set by the Action Committee.
>> >> > _________________________________________
>> >> > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.
>> >> > Critiques & Collaborations
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>> >>
>> >> Shuddhabrata Sengupta
>> >> The Sarai Programme at CSDS
>> >> Raqs Media Collective
>> >> shuddha at sarai.net
>> >> www.sarai.net
>> >> www.raqsmediacollective.net
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _________________________________________
>> >> reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.
>> >> Critiques & Collaborations
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>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Aditya Raj Kaul
>> >
>> > Freelance Correspondent, The Times of India
>> > Cell -  +91-9873297834
>> >
>> > Blog: http://activistsdiary.blogspot.com/
>> >
>> _________________________________________
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