Harassing to change statement

Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, son of Khazir Muhammad of Shanipora Khansahib in Budgam district, was picked up by SOG personnel of JK Police on the intervening night of July 29-30, 2003, and killed in custody, according to his family.
“It was 9 in the evening, when suddenly SOG men entered our house and dragged out my husband. He was taking dinner that time and when we intervened, the SOG personnel ruthlessly beat us,” Bhat’s wife Lateefa Begum told Greater Kashmir.
“At 2:30 am same night our house was again raided by the SOG. They searched the whole house and threatened us of dire consequences if we won’t give information about militants. One of the SOG personnel who was speaking Kashmiri told me, if you would not have provided food to militants, it wouldn’t have happened,” she added.
Lateefa said that next morning when they approached SOG camp and police station Khansahib, “They denied having arrested my husband.”
Bhat, a carpet weaver, had been killed during the night of his arrest. He was brutally tortured due to which he died. On the evening of July 30, his body was handed over to his family.
The SOG had also arrested Abdur Rehman Mir son of Muhammad Ramzan of the same village that evening.
“After SOG arrested me, I was taken to Fujpora, a neighboring village where I saw Bhat. Then both of us were taken to Khansahib SOG camp where we were kept in two separate cells. After a few minutes, I heard cries of Bhat who was being tortured. I was mum as I knew that now it would be my turn,” Rehman told GK.
“After some time, the SOG personnel came to me and said if I won’t give information about militants I would also be given same treatment. When I said that I don’t have any information about militants, they kicked me. Later I was asked to move to the room where Bhat was kept,” he said, and added, “When I saw Bhat, he was naked and blood was oozing out of his mouth and nostrils.”
Recalling that horrifying night, Rehman said that a doctor was called to see Bhat. “But the doctor declared him dead. He (Bhat) was given third degree torture.”
“It was a horrifying scene. I was shocked. Next day when Bhat’s body was handed over to his family members, I was also released with a warning that I won’t open my mouth, otherwise I would also meet the same fate,” he added.
On July 30, 2003, police station Khansahib lodged an FIR of the incident. However, surprisingly, the FIR has been lodged against 29 and 35 Rashtriya Rifles battalions. The FIR No 208 of July 30, 2003 reads that Bhat was arrested by the RR and he died in their custody.
After Bhat’s custodial killing, massive protests rocked Budgam after which a probe was ordered into the killing. Bhat’s family and Rehman have recorded their statements before the authorities stating that SOG was responsible for the killing.
Lateefa Begum says that she doesn’t know why the FIR has been lodged against the Army. “My husband was arrested by SOG officer Shabir Ahmad. But if police says my husband was killed by the Army, let an independent probe be ordered and killers be brought to book.”
“I’ve four kids and no source of income. After my husband’s death, I sent my two elder kids to an orphanage as I can’t feed them. Life has become an ordeal for us. I’ve developed psychiatric problems and I’m on treatment. But at times, I’m not able to purchase medicines. What was the sin of my husband?” she asked.
Advocate Mir Hafizullah, who has filed a petition before Chief Judicial Magistrate Budgam on behalf of the victims, said, “The FIR has been deliberately lodged against the Army to shield SOG personnel as Army enjoys impunity under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).”
The CJM has ordered police station Khansahib to submit the report of the case by June 10, 2008.
However, Bhat’s family said they are being harassed by the SOG personnel not to give any statement against them. “SOG officer Shabir Ahmad, who killed my husband, sends me threats that if give any statement against him, he will kill all my family members. I’m being asked to change my statement against the SOG,” Lateefa said.
She appealed the higher ups in the police and army to investigate the matter and punish the guilty.

@ By ZULFIKAR MAJID (GK)