[Reader-list] Life is cheap in Kashmir

Pawan Durani pawan.durani at gmail.com
Wed Jul 1 18:59:16 IST 2009 

Dear Anupam ,

Appreciate your mail . However please let us know it it were the
security forces which raped two innocent women and finally killed them
in Shopian ?

I may have missed some report on the episode.

Warm regards

Pawan


On Wed, Jul 1, 2009 at 6:56 PM, anupam chakravartty<c.anupam at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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
>> > media and the city.
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>> > > > >>
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > > --
>> > > > > Aditya Raj Kaul
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Freelance Correspondent, The Times of India
>> > > > > Cell -  +91-9873297834
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Blog: http://activistsdiary.blogspot.com/
>> > > > >
>> > > > _________________________________________
>> > > > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and
>> > the city.
>> > > > Critiques & Collaborations
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>> > > _________________________________________
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>> > city.
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>> > >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Aditya Raj Kaul
>> >
>> > Freelance Correspondent, The Times of India
>> > Cell -  +91-9873297834
>> >
>> > Blog: http://activistsdiary.blogspot.com/
>> > _________________________________________
>> > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the
>> > city.
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>>
>>
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