Police of Murshidabad planfully attacking activists of MASUM

25 May 2013

 

To

The Chairman

National Human Rights Commission

Faridkot House

Copernicus Marg

New Delhi

 

Respected Sir

 

 

 

I want to draw your attention on incidents of consecutive threatening on our District Human Rights Monitor; Mr. Azimuddin Sarkar, a resident of Village- Bardhanpur, Post Office- Murddpur, Police Station- Raninagar, District- Murshidabad. Previously, I made a complaint regarding attacks by anti social elements on the aide of local police from Raninagar Police Station of Murshidabad district on 14th October 2012, when his elder brother’ house became attacked and looted. Though, I made request for his and his family’s security and safety, but now it is evident that it was not heeded.

In recent incident, the house of Mr. Azimuddin Sarkar was attacked yesterday; 24.5.2013, but this time not by the anti- socials but the police only. Just now, I have received information that a posse of 8 police persons; all were in civil attire, not in their uniforms, attacked his house, ransacked, looted and broke open all the doors of his household, while he was not present to his home. The said police persons were identified by his son; Mr. Faruk Kamran and other eye witnesses of his neighborhood as Mr. Ajoy Pal; Sub Inspector of Raninagar and Mr. Swarup Biswas; Sub Inspector of same police station. They even informed that all others can be identified by them if produced. This atrocious and heinous act of police aggression started at 11 pm on the date and continued for next one hour. On that time, Mr. Azimuddin Sarkar was on his way to home from our office. It was reported that the police personnel came by a vehicle with registration number WB– 24 K- 7678. They forcibly entered his home by breaking the tin made entry gate and subsequently broke open the door of the room, where his wife Ms. Nazma Sarkar was fast asleep. They were astonished and shocked by the sudden presence of police and their door breaking noises. The police party asked for Mr. Azimuddin Sarkar, while the family said that he was out of home and would be back, it made the police berserk and furious, they broke open every doors of the house in search of Mr. Sarkar. In between, while one of the son asked the justification of their forcible entry, Mr. Ajoy Pal said if you ask questions, I will fire you. The police party was without any female staff, and while questioned over their looting spree by Ms. Nazma Sarkar, they hold her hands and tried to unclothe her. The daughter of Mr. Sarkar; Ms. Safinaj Nasreen, who happen to be a student of a prestigious college at Kolkata, was forcibly lifted from her bed and asked her to stand. In the melee, the police party threatened to kill another son of Mr. Sarkar; Mr. Tarik Kamran. During this incident, the police party looted, one gold bangle and one necklace from Mr. Nazma Sarkar, one gold neck chain from Ms. Safinaj, two used mobile phones and Rs. 35000 by breaking a steel almirah, the money was meant for purchase of a portion of parental land property. During the loot, the police devastated all the wooden furniture and two bicycles. The police during their destruction and looting spree, threaten the whole family by making several warnings the gist of their threats was that ask Mr. Sarkar to not teach us human rights, we can frame you in fake charges and thereafter will bash you to death and warned against making any complaints to any authorities. There are few witnesses who saw all the happenings but failed to protest due to the demonic behavior of the police party. The witnesses are: Mr. Anarul Islam; son of Late Bainuddin Sarkar, Mr. Ataur Rahaman, Ms. Selina Bibi; wife of Mr. Alamgir Seikh and Mr. Alamgirh Seikh and others.

Our experience in Murshidabad district draw us to conclude that the police and local anti socials are working in unison to check the initiatives taken to establish human rights environment. They have taken measures to intimidate, defame and threat our district level activists in three consecutive occasions in recent past, i.e, Mr. Ajimuddin Sarkar, Mr. Safikul Islam and Mr. Gopen Chandra Sharma. All the details are with the National Human Rights Commission and major international agencies has voiced their anguis over the recent attacks on MASUM’s human rights defenders at Murshidabad district.    

 

This is not an isolated incident, rather the local police- administration- BSF– anti- socials of the area are continuously trying to create hurdles to the activities on protection and promotion of human rights. In this regard I have made several complaints to you whenever such attacks were perpetrated on our activists, but till date no visible actions have been taken, which in other hand encouraged the errant.

 

As the district police of Murshidabad, concurrently trying to diminish the human rights endeavors to shield their involvements in corrupt and atrocious deeds, which is contravene of legal guarantees of the citizenry, has started an all out attacks on our activities and activists, and devoid of any human rights practice must be cautioned and suggested for more prudence by your Commssion.

 

In this context, I demand for:-

 

1.    Immediate intervention over the issue and guarantee of ultimate safety and security of Mr. Azimuddin Sarkar and his family 

2.    Protection of Mr. Sarkar according to the International Conventions on Human Rights Defenders

3.    The criminal acts of Mr. Ajoy Pal and Mr. Swarup Biswas with other police personnel must be investigated by an independent agency and subsequent booking in appropriate sections of penal provision

4.    Mr. Azimuddin Sarkar must duly compensated for the financial loss, he incurred due to police loot and defamation and disrepute caused by raiding his residence in midnight

 

 

Sincerely Yours

 

 

(Kirity Roy)

Secretary

—
Kirity Roy
Secretary
Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha
(MASUM)
&
National Convenor (PACTI)
Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity
40A, Barabagan Lane (4th Floor)
Balaji Place
Shibtala
Srirampur
Hooghly
PIN- 712203
Tele-Fax – +91-33-26220843
Phone- +91-33-26220844 / 0845
e. mail : kirityroy@gmail.com
Web: www.masum.org.in

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West Bengal – 5 year old girl raped, police shielding the accused #Vaw

 

15 May 2013

 

To

The Chairman

West Bengal Human Rights Commission

Bhabani Bhaban

Alipur

Kolkata – 27

 

Respected Sir,

 

I want to draw your kind attention on an incident of inhumane rape on a minor girl of only five years of age and subsequent inactions of police of Raninagar Police Station Our fact finding report provides the detail of the whole incident. It is revealed during the fact finding that the police of the said police station refused to register the complaint of the victim family in first instance and though arrested the alleged accused but after pressure from the influential  family of the accused; made him scot free, though, registered the complaint on later date, not arrested the accused till date. The accused boy is also a minor. The physical condition of the girl is grave.

 

The police personnel of Raninagar police station suggested the family of the victim girl for arranging early treatment of her while asked to register their verbal complaint as the family members was literate. The police personnel told the father of the minor child to make a written complaint against the accused so that they could take appropriate steps against the accused while the father of the minor victim asked the reasons regarding the release of the accused from their custody instead of producing him before the court. On 20.04.2013, Mr. Nabiul Islam lodged a written complaint on behalf of the minor girl before the Officer-In-Charge of Raninagar Police Station. But till date no appropriate actions have been taken by the police personnel of the said police station and the accused is at in large.

 

Hence we seek your urgent intervention regarding the following the matters:

·       The accused must be arrested immediately

·       The role of the police personnel of Raninagar Police Station regarding their negligence and acquiescence with the accused and his ‘influential’ family must be investigated by an independent agency, and subsequent charges must be framed against the involved police personnel in accordance to the law

·       The family of minor girl should be financially compensated for the medical expenses incurred

·       The family must be provided with security and safety during the trial.

 

Thanking you

Yours truly

 

Kirity Roy

Secretary, MASUM & National Convener, PACTI

 

 

 

Name of the victim: – Ruma Khatun (name withheld), daughter of- Mr. Nabiul Islam, aged about 5 years, residing at Village- Ramnagar Natun Para, Post Office- Ramnagar DK, Police Station- Raninagar, District- Murshidabad.

 

Name of the perpetrators:- Mr. Diken Seikh, son of Mr. Sentu Seikh of Village- Ramnagar Natun Para, Post Office- Ramnagar DK, Police Station- Raninagar, District- Murshidabad and involved police personnel of Raninagar police station

 

Date and time of incident: – On 18.04.2013 at 2 pm.

 

Case Details: –

 

It is revealed during our fact finding that Mr. Nabiul Islam the father of the minor victim is living with his wife Ms. Layla Bibi along with the victim girl. Though Mr. Nabiul Islam is from Backward Class of Muslim Community, he and his family does not possess the certificate for the same. The family lives under abject poverty but their names have not been listed in Below Poverty Line (B.P.L) list either. The girl used to attend the local ICDS (Integral Child Development Scheme) Centre.

 

On 18.04.2013 at 2 pm, the girl was playing at adjacent mango orchard to her house with her friends. In the mean time the accused Mr. Diken Seikh, son of Mr. Sentu Seikh came to the place and made consecutive sexual gestures towards the girl while she was playing. The accused thereafter allured the girl by giving her a chocolate and took her to a nearby wheat field. The victim suddenly pushed down the minor girl on the field and jumped upon to her body. He abruptly tore open her clothes and forced upon her. The accused raped the minor with savaged cruelty. The minor girl made alarm while she was wreaked in severe pain and became senseless. The accused left the bleeding girl and fled from the scene. Few villagers suddenly came to the spot and informed Ms. Layla Bibi; the mother of the girl, about the incident. Ms. Layla Bibi came to the place and rushed her daughter to Godhonpara Primary Health Centre for medical treatment. But the doctor of that Primary Health Centre transferred the girl to Berhampore Matri Sadan Hospital for better treatment after examining her injuries received during the alleged rape.

 

On the very day of the incident, the parents of the victim went to Raninagar Police Station to lodge a complaint. But the police personnel of the said police station suggested them to get treated the girl at first, and then to make the complaint.  In the meantime the police arrested the accused on the basis of oral complaint by the parents took him to the police station, not to juvenile home, but later released him after his family interfered and “influenced” the police, instead of producing him before the court. Fact finding revealed that the maternal uncle of the accused is an influential political personality of the locality.

 

On 20.04.2013, Mr. Nabiul Islam lodged a written complaint over the incident, and police registered the complaint as an First Information Report (F.I.R.) and initiated a case against the accused vide Raninagar PS Case No. 272/2013 dated 20.04.2013 under section 376 (2) (f) of Indian Penal Code. But till now no appropriate actions have been taken by the police personnel of the said police station and the accused is still at large.

 

On 25.04.2013, the minor girl was discharged from Berhampore Matri Sadan Hospital after a heroic battle over the critical injuries which she received during a savage aggression upon her.

 

On 03.04.2013 at 8 pm, our fact finding team called to Mr. Ajay Pal; Sub Inspector of Raninagar police station and investigating officer of the case over telephone (03481-238038) and wanted to know the details of ongoing investigation and about the intended arrest of the accused. But the said IO of the case told that he did not know anything about the incident and abruptly disconnected the line.

   VG was admitted in district hospital for injury at genital organ  

 

Signature and acceptance of Mr. Ajay Pal, S.I.                                                                                        of Raninagar P.S. as Investigating Officer of the case 

 

—
Kirity Roy
Secretary
Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha
(MASUM)
&
National Convenor (PACTI)
Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity
40A, Barabagan Lane (4th Floor)
Balaji Place
Shibtala
Srirampur
Hooghly
PIN- 712203
Tele-Fax – +91-33-26220843
Phone- +91-33-26220844 / 0845
e. mail : kirityroy@gmail.com
Web: www.masum.org.in

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Savage, inhuman torture & molestation by Jalangi police

 

6^th May 2013

 

To

The Chairman

West Bengal Human Rights Commission

Bhabani Bhaban

Alipur

Kolkata – 27

 

Respected Sir,

 

I want to draw your kind attention regarding the matter of custodial torture committed upon Mr. Ariful Islam Sarkar by the police personnel of Jalangi Police Station. Our fact finding report provides the detail of the whole incident.

 

On the date of the incident the involved police personnel trespasses the victim’s house and brutally assaulted the victim in front of his wife Ms. Rina Bibi. They molested the victim’s wife by pulling her clothing.  After that the perpetrator police personnel forcibly took the victim to Jalangi Police Station and the victim was brutally assaulted by them inside the said police station during his custody. He was even waked at midnight, stripped naked and bashed. The victim received injuries over his body during the assault. After that the victim was medically treated at Sadhikandiyar Primary Health Centre and Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital; Baharampur. In both the places he informed the details of physical torture by the perpetrator police personnel to the attending doctors. Later, he was sent to prison and on 01.04.2013, the victim got bail. On 08.04.2014, the victim lodged a written complaint before the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Murshidabad informing the incident of physical torture committed upon him by the involved police personnel of the Jalangi police station. But till date no actions has been taken by the higher authorities of the police.

Hence we seek your urgent intervention and demand for: –

 

·       The whole incident must be investigated Your own independent agency.

·       The involved police personnel of Jalangi Police Station must be booked under the specific law and prosecuted for their alleged criminal acts and acts committed in violation of law.

·       The victim and his family must be provided adequate compensation and protection so that they do not come under any further threat or inducement.

 

Thanking you

 

Yours truly

 

 

 

Kirity Roy

Secretary, MASUM

&

National Convener, PACTI

 

 

Name of the victim: – Mr. Ariful Islam Sarkar, son of- Late Abul Kasim Sarkar, aged about- 50 years, by faith- Muslim (backward community), residing at Village- Nabingram -Sagarpara, Police Station- Jalangi, District- Murshidabad, West Bengal, India.

 

Name of the perpetrators: – Mr. Mainuddin Khan (Assistant Sub-Inspector of Jalangi Police Station) and 4 other involved police constables of Jalangi Police Station.

 

Date and time of incident: – On 29.03.2013 at about 2 pm.

 

Place of occurrence: – Victim’s house at above mentioned address and inside Jalangi police station.

 

Case Details: –

 

It is revealed during fact finding that the victim is an agricultural labour. His financial condition was impecunious and he is living under financial duress.  He was not been enlisted under Below Poverty Line (B.P.L) category. In the year 1995, the victim got married with Ms. Selina Parvin, daughter of Mr. Ajimuddin Mondal. Fact finding reveals that she was from financially well off family as her father was a government employee. As a result, after their marriage, she developed marital discontent. In the year 2006, she left the victim’s house. The victim tried to convince his wife and father in law for her return but failed. Ms. Selina Parvin filed a divorce petition for the dissolution of her marriage with the victim. In the year of 2006, the victim got remarried with Ms. Ruma Bibi after getting divorce from his earlier marriage. This infuriated Ms. Selina Parvin and she started to conspire against the victim.

On 26.05.2010, she filed a petition under section 125 of Criminal Procedure Code before the Judicial Magistrate, 1^st Court, Berhampore against the victim vide Execution Case No.-233/2010 and the court (JM 1^st Court, Baharampur) ordered the victim to pay sum of Rs. 1800/- as maintenance per month to Ms. Selina Parvin. But the victim failed to pay few instalments of monthly maintenance due to his financial distress and as a result the court issued arrest warrant against the victim on the basis of non-payment of maintenance.

On 29.03.2013 at about 2 pm, Mr. Mainuddin Khan an Assistant Sub Inspector of Jalangi police station accompanied with four other police constables of Jalangi police station came to the house of the victim by an ash coloured Bolero make four wheelers. They trespassed into the victim’s house and at that time police force was not accompanied by any lady police. They foul mouthed with the members of the family and verbally abused the victim and his wife with filthiest language having sexual connotation. The police personnel brutally assaulted the victim in front of his wife with their wooden sticks and forcibly shoved the victim to the courtyard of his house, then Ms. Rina Bibi was molested by the said police personnel while she was asking for release of his husband from their clutches. During the melee the police personnel pulled her wearing, unclothed her and intentionally touched her private parts. In the mean time the perpetrator police personnel repeatedly had beaten the victim while they dragged the victim to their parked car. The victim was taken to the Jalangi police station and was put into the lock-up. The said ASI, Mr. Mainuddin Khan got the victim out from the police lock-up at midnight and again bashed him up. He was kept naked at the lock up for whole of night. While the victim asked for drinking water, the police personnel present at the time with the said ASI tried to force the victim to drink his own urine instead of giving him a glass of water

On 30.03.2013 at about 9 am, the victim was taken to Sadhikhandiyar Primary Health Centre for medical treatment. The victim informed the attending doctor; Dr. Nurujamman about the horrific physical torture meted upon him by the mentioned police personnel at the Jaangi police station. On 8.4.2013, he was again treated at Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital at Beharampur, after released from judicial custody on 1.4.2013 after granted bail from the court.

On 07.04.2013, our fact finding team wanted to talk with Mr. Mainuddin Khan; the involved ASI through telephone (03481-23553) regarding the incident of physical torture upon the victim by him. But the said police personal refused to discuss the issue and abruptly disconnected the telephone line. Our fact finding team again called to the said police station over telephone and wanted to know the details of the incident regarding the matter of custodial torture upon the victim by the police personnel attached with the police station. But the then Duty-Officer disagreed to discuss the happenings and he also disconnected the line in a haste.

On 08.04.2013, the victim lodged a written complaint before the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police; Murshidabad, informing the whole incident of custodial torture committed upon him by the police personnel of the Jalangi police station. But till date no appropriate actions have been taken by the higher authorities of the district or police administrations.

VICTIM – MR. ARIFUL

 

TREATMENT SHEET – FROM GOVT. HOSPITAL

—
Kirity Roy
Secretary
Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha
(MASUM)
&
National Convenor (PACTI)
Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity
40A, Barabagan Lane (4th Floor)
Balaji Place
Shibtala
Srirampur
Hooghly
PIN- 712203
Tele-Fax – +91-33-26220843
Phone- +91-33-26220844 / 0845
e. mail : kirityroy@gmail.com
Web: www.masum.org.in

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Amritsar molestation: Expelled SAD leader arrested #Vaw #Punjab

RANJIT SINGH RANA – SHAME 

Amritsra, agencies , dec 6, 2012 -The Punjab police have arrested former Shiromani Akali Dal leader Ranjit Singh Rana and another accused in the Amritsar case where a policeman was shot dead for saving his daughter from molesters. Two other accused are absconding. An Assistant Sub Inspector, Ravinder Singh, of the Punjab Police was shot dead allegedly by molesters who were harassing his daughter. The incident took place on Wednesday, when Ravinder Singh had gone to confront the youth.

Police say one of the accused, Ranjit Singh Rana, who is Shiromani Akali Dal’s General Secretary from Amritsar Urban first shot at Ravinder’s legs, went back home to get more bullets and shot Ravinder again from point blank range.

The SAD has also expelled Rana. Eye witnesses claim the police reached the spot late, in spite of the fact that the place was right in the middle of the city.

Rana is being interrogated in connection with the murder.

IE, Dec 5

An Assistant Sub Inspector of police was shot dead in public on Wednesday by a leader of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) when he asked him to stop harassing his daughter, police said.

The police and eyewitnesses said Ranjit Singh Rana, who is the SAD general secretary from Amritsar Urban, first shot at ASI Ravinderpal Singh’s legs from his revolver after a confrontation in Chheharta area of the city and when he ran out of bullets he drove back home, about five minutes away, challenging the police officer that he would be back. He returned soon after with a rifle and shot Singh from point blank range.

The Chheharta police station is located close to the place where the firing took place but eyewitnesses said police did not arrive at the spot till Singh was shot dead. The incident took place around 3.30 pm and lasted for more than 20 minutes.

Commissioner of Police Ram Singh said the Chheharta SHO was placed on suspension. He said a murder case had been registered against Rana and an unknown person, who drove the black SUV in which he came.

The police said the ASI’s daughter, who worked in a bank, had complained to her father that Rana had been stalking her for past several days and made unwanted advances. “Today she called her father, saying that she was again being chased by the accused. When her father arrived on Chheharta road, firing took place after a scuffle,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Kaustubh Sharma. He said further investigation was on.

ASI Singh, who was attached to Gharinda police station, came in his uniform along with his two gunmen. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen fled when the firing started.

An eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said, “The man who fired the shots was stopped by the ASI as he and two others came in a black vehicle. The ASI told the man to stop following his daughter. This led to a scuffle and both the ASI and that person started firing shots from their revolvers.”

“The ASI fired in the air but the other man fired at his legs. After the bullets ran out, they started fighting physically while people tried to separate them. The accused left the place warning that he would be back. As the ASI’s relatives, who had a shop nearby, were about to take him to a hospital in a car, the accused returned and started firing. When the ASI stepped out of the car, he was shot dead from point blank range,” he said.

Another eyewitness, Avtar Singh, said, “The accused also tried to fire towards the ASI’s daughter but his gun got jammed. He fled when people started pelting stones at him.” SAD Amritsar (Urban) president Upkar Singh Sandhu said Rana had been made SAD general secretary in September this year.
The Supreme Court recently took a zero-tolerance stance on eve-teasing and instructed all states to take measures to protect women, such as deploying women police officers in plainclothes, putting up closed-circuit cameras and setting up helplines.

Koodankulam Update: 9 October, 2012

 

Update: 9 October, 2012
As told to  nityarand jayaraman by a source in Tirunelveli

Koodankulam protestors, and some others who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time on September 10 and subsequent dates, had been picked up by the Police, arrested and remanded to judicial custody in Tirunelveli, Vellore, and Tiruchi jails. Yesterday, they were produced before the Magistrate in Valliyoor. This is the second instance that an extension on their remand has been granted.

The arrested people that were brought to the magistrate’s court from Vellore and Tiruchi were not given food, water or allowed to answer nature’s calls throughout the trip. In the earlier instance, when they were produced before the magistrate, they had been brought in hand-cuffed. The Magistrate had taken a very serious view of this, and reminded the police of the supreme court orders on the matter. Unlike the last visit, the arrested people were allowed to meet their relatives yesterday thanks to the presence of about 6 local lawyers who complained to the Magistrate. The magistrate in turn chastised the police and invited the relatives to meet the arrested people inside the court, and hand over food and clothing.

Two disturbing events arose.
1. Thirumani a.k.a Joseph, aged 29 (as per FIR), s/o Lincoln Nadar, Village Koodankulam is a mentally challenged person. On September 10, 2012, a new Sub-Inspector (name awaited) from the Koodankulam Police Station arrested Thirumani. His arrest was not noticed by anybody. He was produced before the Nanguneri Magistrate, who is the same person that helped the police with the remand of Mugilan. In this case too, the Magistrate (name awaited) remanded the arrested person to judicial custody. When solidarity activists in Tirunelveli found out about it, they applied for bail for the young man and requested that the youngster be sent in for immediate treatment. The matter had come up for hearing on 7 October (Saturday), when the Magistrate directed that Mr. Thirumani should be moved to the Tirunelveli Government Hospital, and sought a medical opinion. Yesterday, the medical opinion confirming Mr. Thirumani’s mental state was presented to the Magistrate. The magistrate questioned the Public Prosecutor in open court as to how the Nanguneri Magistrate had been convinced to remand a visibly mentally challenged person. The magistrate told the lawyers to move a bail application immediately. To move a bail application, the sureties produced (such as property papers etc) need to be certified by the Village Administrative Officer. All 5 VAOs and Tahsildars in Perumanal, Idinthakarai and Koodankulam have been instructed to not issue any certification and have refused to do so since the time that sureties were being readied for the release of Sathish Kumar and Mugilan a few months ago. In this case too, Koodankulam VAO Mr. Suresh flatly refused to issue any certification and directed the applicants to approach the District Collectolr. The Lawyers pointed this out to the Magistrate. Considering the mental state of the arrested person, the Magistrate has issued bail on the basis of patta tax payment receipts of 2010. The bail has now been granted, but only because the Magistrate was willing to accept our case only because Thirumani is mentally challenged. For the other persons, bail applications are likely to be a problem because the VAO is unlikely to certify surety papers.

2. Mr. Udayaselvan, s/o Sudalaimani, aged 25, Koodankulam village, is in no way connected to the ongoing protests. The following narrative is a paraphrased version of his oral testimony to the Valliyoor Magistrate on 9 October, 2012. On September 10, he was returning from having picked up clothes from a tailor shop in Koodankulam town where he had given clothes for stitching for a wedding of his close relative. On his way back, he was stopped by policemen. He told them he had to go home to drop off the clothes. The same policemen who had allowed him were joined by several more by the time he happened back. Despite his protests that he had nothing to do with the protest on the beach, he was picked up by three policemen — Police Constable Pal Pandi, Police Constable Lakshmanan and Sub Inspector Anand Raj. All three policemen were reportedly part of the escort that accompanied DSP Bidari and the ADGP. Udayaselvan was dragged into the thorny bushes, and was beaten up badly. One would slap him on his face, while the other would punch him on his head, and the third would hit him on his legs. This went on until he thankfully lost consciousness. Another person, also arrested on the same day from the same location, confirms that he saw Udayaselvan being dragged by his feet and hands and loaded on to the police vehicle. According to Udayaselvan, the Sub Inspector Anand Raj was particularly vicious.  As Udayaselvan was narrating this, his mother who was present in the court fainted.

Mr. Udayaselvan said that he did not narrate these beatings on the first occasion for fear of upsetting his mother and sister. But since then (about 15 days back), he has lost all appetite and the effects of the beatings are seriously affecting his health. According to his mother, he has never appeared so weak. His request for medical attention has been granted, and the Magistrate reportedly ordered him to be relocated to the hospital immediately.

According to the person who narrated all this to me, the presence of a number of lawyers appearing on behalf of the arrested people made a big difference to counter the intimidation of the police and bring in a semblance of fairness to the proceedings.
However, even since the time when bail sureties were being readied for the release of Sathish Kumar and Mugilan two months ago, the Village Administrative
Yesterda

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Dalits were beaten up for resisting power theft by Police and upper castes men

Patna: A mahadalit community was beaten up when they were resisting power theft from their community transformer, first by upper caste men and later, by local policemen at Adilapur in Neora under Bihata Police station, on Thursday night, 25 km east Patna.

On Thursday night, when the musahar community, the lowest in caste hierarchy of Hindu religion, men had stopped the upper caste men from hooking up their wire to their community transformer for electricity. This incident left six dalits injured.

According to Bawa nath Manjhi, 40, who didn’t bear any physical injury but made claim of internal shoulder injury, says; ‘They (upper caste men) had disconnected our wire from their transformer a year ago. How could we allow them from our community transformer’.

Adilpur village had only one transformer of 63 KV, a year ago, which was often got defunct due to over load shedding. The upper caste men, who claimed their transformer, had hooked off the wire of mahadalit houses.

The upper caste dominated village has sizeable Musahar population.

The mahadalit community also got their transformer, under mahadalit vikas yojana scheme, in their parts of village, in last October, 2011.

The conflict started from this 17 June, 2012, when the old transformer (of upper caste) got dysfunctional.

‘We allowed them for three days when they gave assurance that they would un-hook their wire without delay’ claimed Bhuneshwar Manjhi, 22, who also bear the brunt of police cane on thigh and hands.

‘When we unhooked their wire on 21 June, they got angry and attacked on us’ added Bhuneshwar.

‘Then after we moved to police station for our security but they didn’t listen and rudely asked us to move away’ says Anuj manjhi, 25 yrs.

Anuj further added ‘Later, we went to our Panchayat head, Swami Nath paswan, who suggested us to block the Bihata-Khagaul road’

 

‘Our move infuriated the Bihata police station and ordered the policemen to charge their cane. This led to more injury’ says Raj Kumari, 50, whose right hand faced the police cane and got swelling.

Inspector of Bihta Police station, Dineshwar Prasad, had not responded even after repeated attempt. While, Sub-Inspector, Rajesh Kumar denied incident of cane charge. ‘They came to police station; we didn’t get any written complaint, yet. Mr Dineshwar Prasad handled them’ says Mr Kumar.

Dhananjay Sharma, an upper caste man of Adilabad village, alleged the musahar as evil of society and made claim over the transformer, also.

 

‘The transformer is of the government, not of the community’ says belligerent Sharma.

Rastriya Janta Dal, general secretary (Youth wing), Shiv Chander Ram had, also, visited the incident site.

from-  Jitendra, jitenchoubey@gmail.com

 

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Immediate Release- Fact Finding into Suicide of 24- year- old Md Akhil in Hyderabad

PUCL, AP FACT FINDING COMMITTEE’S REPORT DATED: 24-02-2012/28-02-2012/12-03-2012 ON THE SUICIDE OF MR. Md. AKHIL ON 20-02-2012 IN BHAVANI NAGAR POLICE STATION LIMITS HYDERABAD, AP, INDIA

We P.U.C.L. members have formed a team of 7 members as Fact Finding Committee and visited Bhavani Nagar Police Station , Mogalpura Police Station, A.C.P – Santosh Nagar Division and D.C.P-C.C.S, Hyderabad regarding the suicide of Md.Akhil S/O Md.Ayaaz, Age 24 Years, Occ: Worker in Chappal Shop, R/O Nasheymaan Nagar, Bhavani Nagar, Hyderabad. Our team members are as follows:

1) Jaya Vindhayala (State President)

2) Md.Iqbal Khan ( State Vice-President)

3) Feroz Khan ( Twin Cities E C Member)

4) Saleem (Twin-Cities Vice-President)

5) Omer Uddin (PUCL Member)

6) B.Kranthi Kiran (PUCL Activist)

7) Nagaraju (PUCL Activist)

We visited the Bhavani Nagar police station on 24-02-2012 and took the permission in the reception to meet the Station house Officer i.e. Circle Inspector of Police (C.I), the constable told us that he is not in the station and told us to call (C.I)him once, among one of our team member called C.I and he told that he is not feeling well and told that it will take some time to come to the police station and immediately we called the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Santosh Nagar Division and he said that he is in meeting with the Commissioner of Police and for him also it will take time to come to his Office, and, we waited in the office room of the Sub-Inspector of Police, our team members have observed in the police station that the Lock-up Cell was full of Guthka Spit on the walls and there was foul smell in the station, we waited for 20 minutes in the station and we went to the Moghal Pura Police Station.

We proceeded to the Moghal Pura Police station, at 17:00 hrs, we took the permission in the reception and the constable told us, that the farewell party of one of the inspector of police, is going on, in the chamber of the inspector of police. We waited in the hall of the police station and we observed that the Lock-up cell was full of Miscellaneous items that belongs to the police personnels like lathi sticks, Jackets etc and there were guthka spits on the walls of the lock-up cell. As the farewell function of the outgoing C.I was over we went into the chamber of the C.I and introduced ourselves that we are from P.U.C.L and told that we came to as a Fact Finding Committee about the suicide of Md.Akhil S/o Md.Ayaaz, Age:24 years where this police station booked the case against him while he was involved in Communal Riots in the Year 2010 and the same officials opened Rowdy sheet against him, he told us that he himself opened the case but it has been transferred to the Bhavani Nagar Police Station where he was residing and his residence is of Nashemeeyan Nagar, Bhavani Nagar, Hyderabad.

As he further stated that the Nashemeeyan Nagar is very sensitive area and it comes under the Police Station limits of Bhavani Nagar and it is the border of Moghalpura Police Station, when ever there will be communal riots both the Communities(Muslims and Hindus) throws stones on each other and in other areas in this police station limits, for small incidents they will fight each other and if it is serious they will kill each other and in this police station there are 10 communal riots pending (All those who are involved in Communal Riots the police officials will open Rowdy Sheets), Valmiki Nagar is another sensitive area in the Moghalpura Police Station limits and we spoke to the leader of the Valmiki Nagar regarding the hygienic atmosphere between both the communities with the help of COVA (A NGO). He told us that we told those who are involved in the communal riots to be away from the riots if not Rowdy Sheets will be opened against them, and he further stated that he would think over the closure of the Rowdy Sheets against those persons who are involved in the communal riots and at present 13 Rowdy Sheets are pending in this Police Station and the population in the Moghalpura Police Station Area is around 2 lakhs and he further stated that there are Standing orders given by The Director General of Police regarding the closure of Rowdy Sheets (Communal Riots) and till now we have closed 6 to 7 cases.

On 28-02-2012, We met the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Santosh Nagar Division at 18:45, introduced ourselves as we are from P.U.C.L and told that we came to as Fact Finding Committee about the suicide of Md.Akhil S/O Md.Ayaaz, 24 years in Bhavani Nagar Police Station limits on 20-02-2012 which comes under your jurisdiction and asked him about the suicide of Md.Akhil and he said that the case was transferred to The Special Investigation team, Central Crime Station, Nampally, Hyderabad.

The A C P stated that in the Communal Riots most of the localities will throwing stones on each other by seeing other localities few with intention and few with instigation by others. Particularly in this case, Suspect Sheet has also been booked against his elder brother Khaleel who is 31 years old AND HE FURTHER STATED THAT AKHIL’S SUICIDE CASE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND STILL PENDING.

He further gave us a report of status of the pending cases in his jurisdiction consisting of Madannapet, Bhavani Nagar, Kanchanbagh and Santhosh Nagar Police Stations. As per records, cases booked like, number of Suspect Sheets in Communal (19), Non-Communal (60), Number of Sheets Booked in a Single case like Rowdy Sheets (11) and Suspects Sheets (16) and Number of Rowdy Sheets in Communal ( 29) and in Non –Communal(66).

He further stated that if any doubt arises we called the Leaders of the area as well as MIM and BJP leaders and told them that if there are any UNCONTROLLABLE communal riots OCCURRED in THEIR RESPECTIVE localities, the whole responsibility will be against the leaders only and the cases will be booked against the leaders ALSO under section146, 147,148,324 and 427 of IPC. He stated that if a criminal CASE is PENDING AGAINST THE PERSON, IF THEY ARE not involved in a case continuously for five years than all the criminal cases will be closed which are pending against that criminal and for those who are aged above 50 years also cases of communal riots will be closed.

Then, We visited the Bhavani Nagar Police Station at 20:00 HRS and we met the Station House Officer and introduced ourselves as we are from P.U.C.L and told that we came as a Fact Finding Committee about the suicide of Md.Akhil S/o Md.Ayaaz, 24 years. where the case of Communal Riots was pending against him before he committed suicide and he said that no official in his Police Station will harass the criminals and he stated regarding the Suicide of Md.Akhil that he was having financial problem and was involved in Cricket betting and Sub-Inspector of Police has been appointed as the investigation officer regarding his Suicide and he is conducting the investigation, but his family members are not co-operating the investigation as they are not providing proper evidence, he further stated that Md.Akhil is a very nice person and he was also sensitive. Md.Akhil would speak to him regularly, before he committed suicide he told him that he is going to Mumbai to bring the Chappal material for the shop where he was working and he told that he might have committed suicide as a suspected sheet has been booked against his elder brother Khallel and the Suicide note is also sent to the Forensic Laboratory and he further stated that he would be friendly with all the Rowdy Sheeters.

On 12-03-2012, We, P.U.C.L team met the D.C.P, C.C.S, Hyderabad. He told us that the issues related to the communal riots were investigated by the Special Investigation Team (S.I.T) under his supervision. He directed the S.I.T Circle Inspector to give us the details related to Md.Akhil.

The Circle Inspector told us, in 2010 three cases were registered against communal riots, Crime No 34/2010(this was registered on 29-03-2010) were Registered by the Bhavani nagar Police Station and Crime No 44/2010 concerned for Late Md Akhil, he was arrested using PT Warrants. Another case Registered by the Moghalpura Police Station as Crime No. 41/2010 (this was registered on 31-03-2010) and the same was transferred to Bhavani Nagar Police Station. No charge sheet was filed till today and still investigation is going on.

OBSERVATIONS:

1) There would not be a National Leader’s photos or the photo of the leaders who fought against corruption or the photos of the police officials who sacrificed their life for the Nation in majority of the Police Stations in the same way we weren’t surprised to observe that there was not even a single National Leaders photo in the Bhavani Nagar Police Station, Moghal Pura Police Station and Office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, But there were Photos of the God or Goddess in every Police Station like Sai Baba/Venkateshwara Swamy/ etc.

2) We couldn’t understand that, they said that the Communal Case on Md.Akhil was being investigated by the C.C.S ( Crime Nos: 34/2010, 41/2010 and 44/2010 ) and they said that the case of suicide (FIR No 30/2012, U/S 174 Cr.P.C, dated: 20-02-2012, Bhavani Nagar Police Station, Hyderabad ) was being investigated by the S.I. of Bhavani Nagar Police Station, Hyderabad ???

3) Md.Akhil is a resident in the limits of the Bhavani Nagar Police Station and if the communal riots take place in the limits of the Bhavani Nagar Police Station. Why was the case filed against him in the Moghal Pura Police Station?? Why was a Rowdy Sheet opened in the Moghal Pura Police Station itself??Why was it then transferred to the Bhavani Nagar Police Station?? .

4) Communal Riots always takes place under the supervision of a political leader or his instigation in the communal riots. This is told by the past and it is clear that it is present through the paper media throughout the Old City. Why wasn’t a single case filed against these Political leaders??

5) It was known through the paper media that a political leader who came to consolidate on Md.Akhil’s death was attacked by Leaders /activists of another political party and why didn’t the government respond in a proper way on this??

6) The death of Md.Akhil who was involved (as per police officials) in the Communal Riots, why didn’t the Home Ministry, Law and Order Ministry couldn’t give a proper review on this?? The Government itself tells that the communal riots matter is a very sensitive, why didn’t the government take proper initiative on this??

7) The Police are not taking independent actions so the Communal Riots are increasing Day-by-Day. Some of the Police Personnels are working as pets for some Political Party’s; this is also a reason for the Communal Riots.

8) There is a lot of influence and threats on the Police Officials by Some Of the Political Leaders who are fanatic religion based fundamentalists especially in the Old City.

9) The Police harassed Md.Akhil regularly.

10) We got the credible information that the A.S.I (Mr.Basheer?), Moghalpura Police Station and Constable (Mr. Rahamaan?) of Bhavani Nagar Police Station have harassed him.

11) The Police would call this Md.Akhil regularly to both the Police Stations Bhavani Nagar and Moghalpura as constables and other officials would have demanded money for closing the Rowdy Sheet.

12) The Police are behaving like Licensed Human Slaughters.

DEMANDS:

1) The Government should appoint an enquiry commission not less than The Sitting District judge on the enquiry of the total incident of the suicide of Md. Akhil, then only whatever the facts in the incident will come out and Justice will happen to general public than only we can control (some of ) the police officials illegal acts.

2) The Government should take action by prosecution on the Police officials who harassed Md.Akhil and became a reason for his suicide.

3) The Government should revive all the cases of the Communal Riots till now and should close the Rowdy Sheets immediately.

4) An Intellectual committee having independent powers consisting of members of Civil Rights, Human Rights, Social Organisations and Concerned Government Officials should be formed immediately, to control the Communal Riots. The Government should take guidelines from this Committee only, for the prevention of these. Then only the Communal Riots can be controlled.

5) The government should give Compensation to the family of Md.Akhil and the Suspect Case filed on his brother Md.Khaleel should be removed immediately.

6) The Government should guide the Police Officials to register the cases against the Political Leaders who are responsible to the Communal Riots instead of innocent persons like Md.Akhil.

With Regards

JAYA VINDHYALA
ADVOCATE
PRESIDENT, PUCL-AP
16-8-908/7, MALAKPET “X” ROADS
HYDERABAD-500 024.

PHONE: 094404-30263.
FAX: 040-24414736

Harassment of Dayamani Barla (Jharkhand) by local police

Image by Joe Athialy via Flickr

On 14th January, in the evening, a Police Mobile Van of Chutya Thana (Ranchi) landed at her hotel on Club Road, Ranchi, and started to harass her staff asking about her links with anti-social elements. The Sub-Inspector making the ‘enquiries’ had neither no written permission or order. The following day, when Ms. Barla, met SSP Ranchi, Mr. Saket Kumar at his residence to ask why she was being harassed in this manner, his response was that the allegations were being made on the basis of an complaint and the fact that she participated in the “Free Jiten Marandi Convention”, in which Varavara Rao was also present.

Harassment of activists on flimsy pretexts and on grounds that they exercised their Constitutionally guaranteed democratic rights is a dangerous trend and will be resisted robustly by human rights activists everywhere.

Who is Dayamani Barla ?

Dayamani knows the cost of fighting against the powerful. Born in a village in Gumla district of Jharkhand to a landless family, Dayamani’s father was forced to give up his house to usurious moneylenders when she was still young. Her mother had to find work as a domestic in Ranchi and Dayamani had to work to supplement the family income from the age of nine. But she also continued to study, and worked to support her family by giving tuitions and typing, at the rate of Rs.1 per hour. Many children under such circumstances would have given up education. But Dayamani persisted and cleared not just high school but even university. She did her Masters in Commerce from Ranchi University and went on to be an award-winning journalist and author. She was clear from the start that she wanted to use her pen to give a voice to those who are otherwise not heard.

She  has lead the fight against Arcelor-Mittal‘s plans to set up a giant steel plant in Jharkhand. Why should she oppose industry that will create jobs in her State? Because she believes that the price that the tribals pay when they are displaced from their lands cannot be compensated through a few jobs or money. “Natural resources to us are not merely means of livelihood but our identity, dignity, autonomy and culture have been built on them for generations,” she is reported as saying. She believes that the location of such a huge plant will adversely affect the forests and water sources in the region.

She believes that the price that the tribals pay when they are displaced from their lands cannot be compensated through a few jobs or money.

Dayamani honed her skills for such a struggle when she joined the tribal groups opposing the Koel Karo dam in the 1990s. The dam would have submerged 66,000 acres and displaced 135,000 tribal families from their lands. Because of their determined struggle, the plans to build the dam were finally shelved.

As a journalist, she has used her pen to write about not just the injustices meted out to tribals resisting efforts to displace them, but also to expose the corruption in several government-run schemes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Here fake muster rolls allow contractors to claim money on behalf of the poor. Only vigilance by local groups or by the media can ensure that the scheme actually serves the purpose for which it was designed. Through her writing, primarily in the newspaper Prabhat Khabar, Dayamani has set a standard for the kind of relevant journalism that is rare at a time when celebrity and sensation dominate all media.

We, strongly condemn the harassment of social activist and human rights’ defender, Dayamani Barla by the Jharkhand Police. Dayamani, a well known and noted journalist-turned-activist and human rights’ defender based in Jharkhand, is one of the leaders of anti-displacement movements. She is also part of many organisations, movements and federations, INSAF and NAPM.

In solidarity

 

In solidarity,

1. Kavita Srivastava, National Secretary,PUCL

2. Manisha Sethi, President, Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity Association (JTSA)

3. Harsh Dobhal, Human Rights Law Network

4. Mahtab Alam, Coalition for Protection of Human Rights’ Defenders (CPHRD)

5. Viya Bhushan Ravat, Human Rights’ Activist and Writer, Delhi

6.Kamayani Bali Mahabal, Human Rights lawyer and Activist, Mumbai