The Asian
Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has recently launched an urgent appeal asking
for the release of a former Kashmiri militant who has allegedly been arrested
by Pakistani secret agencies.
The AHRC has
written a separate letter to the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary
Disappearances and Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment calling for urgent intervention into this
matter.
The incident
of enforced disappearance was already reported by local press in Pakistan and
India. However, the urgency of the
matter was felt after a woman called Shahnaz Qazi, spoke to media persons in
Muzaffarabad- the capital of Pakistan Administered Kashmir and threatened to
commit suicide along with her six children, if her spouse, Qazi Khushal, was
not freed within five days.
This family
of Kashmiri migrants is living in a refugee camp on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad.
They are originally from Karnah- an area on Indian side of the Line of Control
in Jammu and Kashmir. The couple, who separately migrated to Muzaffarabad in
1990, got married after five years and have four sons and two daughters.
Khushal, who
spent many years in fighting against India in Jammu & Kashmir is amongst
thousands others those renounced militancy in recent years. The BBC reported in
August this year that both India and Pakistan acknowledge that the number of
militants coming into the territory from Pakistani-administered Kashmir has
dwindled significantly.
Dozens of
stories have appeared in recent months in media that highlight the serious
violations of human rights of those Kashmiri families who want to live a normal
life after renouncing militancy. Hundreds of former insurgents recruited and
trained by secret agencies and militant organisations have returned back to
their hometowns in Indian held Jammu & Kashmir.
Many more
who wanted to join others in this home coming have delayed their plans after
hearing stories of shocking welcome in India despite of the pledges of
reconciliation and amnesty.
A former
militant living in Muzaffarabad was reported as saying that there was no use of
staying in Pakistan as the jihad (holy war) was over and they (former
militants) did not want to live a life in exile. ‘’it's better to live on your
own land and around your own people than in virtual exile where one day you'll
be forced to beg for a living."
Khushal’s,
is amongst one of those migrant families who would like to stay in Pakistan
because of their tragic memories back home in India and possible unwelcome
attitude by Indian government.
According to
his spouse’s account, he was whisked away by intelligence agency people when he
was returning home after visiting his relatives in Leepa Valley. Later, he was
seen in a military hospital in an annoying condition. She told media that she
herself had seen him lying on the bed. He was handcuffed, profusely sweating
and trembling. But those accompanying him did not allow people to speak to him.
The incident has terrorized all those
who live in the refugee camp.
The local administration and military
officials deployed in the area have as usual, denied the arrest. It is feared
by his wife that he would be killed in military detention and his body will be
thrown on the road side.
This is not
the only incident that has shattered the peace of mind for this family. They
are amongst many others who have been facing the worst troubles of a proxy war.
Khushal’s
militant inclinations have a motivational charge. His father, who was a
well-known and respected figure in his community was arrested by the Indian
army and killed in 1992. It was reported in vernacular Urdu press that his face
was broken and nails removed during the detention which ultimately resulted in
his death.
Khushal’s older
brother was also arrested in 1993 on charges of insurgency in India and
remained in prison for 3 years. The family then migrated to Pakistan and
started living in a refugee camp. The AHRC has claimed with the input of
reliable sources that they had constantly been pressured by the intelligence
agencies to restart militant activity.
(The writer
is a member of Press for Peace and can be reached at mazhar@pressforpeace.org.uk)
Courtesy: Eurasia Review
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