[Reader-list] Life is cheap in Kashmir

[anupam chakravartty]

Dear Mr Malik,

The reason why you have chosen turn a blind eye to the forces occupying
Kashmir is because it becomes an easier task to say that seperatists commit
atrocities because they are bunch of hooligans up in arms against the state,
while police forces are for maintanence of law and order, so whatever they
do, it has to be under the garb of law and order. lets face it -- both
separatists followed by the security forces are only destroying Kashmir.
people are obviously opposed to violence in any form be it seperatists or
forces. however, they have more expectations from the forces as they
represent some form of protection also, which is why such protests are
there. those who protect cannot become rapists or murderers. they just
cannot.

anupam

On 7/1/09, A.K. Malik <akmalik45 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Dear Mr Kaul,
>             I will only give a brief comment.People find it easy to curse &
> protest against CRPF/Police/Govt but are either scared to protest against
> actions of terrorists or are just disinterested.
> None can understand the anguish and pain except the ones who have
> suffered.We have seen this at the time of partition.
> Regards
> (A.K.MALIK)
>
>
> --- On Wed, 7/1/09, Aditya Raj Kaul <kauladityaraj at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > From: Aditya Raj Kaul <kauladityaraj at gmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Reader-list] Life is cheap in Kashmir
> > To: "sarai list" <reader-list at sarai.net>
> > Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2009,5:19 PM
> > Dear Anupam..
> >
> > I'm not wondering of even an iota of humanity in a mob,
> > especially those
> > ones directed by separatist elements in Kashmir. Long ago I
> > was on the
> > receiving end, when we had to leave our homes in early
> > morning darkness in
> > 1990. We met with an exodus, due to fear of gun culture and
> > slogans from
> > mosque loud speakers against our women-folk. The situation
> > is no better now.
> > When the mentally sick mob could attack the minority
> > unarmed population
> > without a reason to justify their horrific act, I've
> > reasons to believe they
> > can blindly torch an ambulance under orders from Malik's
> > and Geelani's.
> >
> > I just recommended disc throw. There of course are several
> > other
> > opportunities with the local Kashmiri Muslim population. I
> > can give hundreds
> > of examples. Quazi Toqeer could win the Indian Idol, even
> > though he came
> > from a far off village in Kashmir. Similarly, Athaer Parvaz
> > has joined
> > another reality show on a popular entertainment channel.
> > There are travel
> > companies and shawl emporiums throughout the globe and in
> > each Indian city
> > with Kashmiris doing brisk business. They don't have any
> > anger towards the
> > system. They have adequate opportunities and are proud
> > Indians.
> >
> > I wish Omar Abdullah provides good employment opportunities
> > to these local
> > Kashmiris, so that they don't get carried away into these
> > violent separatist
> > funded protests for mere few hundred rupees.
> >
> > It is easy to take the separatist line, 'coz it has media
> > melting in
> > immediately. But, it is difficult to speak and support the
> > truth in Kashmir.
> > For obvious reasons.
> >
> > I still wonder why there have been no protests in Kashmir
> > for two ladies who
> > fell to the bullets of terrorists (Hizbul) ? One of them
> > hailed from
> > Shopian.
> >
> > I would appreciate if the Majlis of Shopian chaired by
> > Mohd. Shafi Khan,
> > takes note of it and includes it in the protests and not
> > give away this to
> > separatist pressure.
> >
> > I'm not asking this time to campaign for Kashmiri Pandit
> > rape/murder
> > victims. Not even asking to demand immediate arrest and
> > death penalty to
> > terrorist and rapist YASIN MALIK. I don't expect that to
> > happen anyways.
> >
> > Hope all in this list are aware that local Pandits of
> > Kashmir are as well
> > participating in the Shopian protests peacefully wearing
> > black bands.
> >
> >
> >
> > 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
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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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> > the city.
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> > > _________________________________________
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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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> > city.
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>
>
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