By Salman Sultan, TwoCircles.net Special Correspondent,
Azamgarh: One year after Batla House seemingly fake encounter (19th September 2008) and on the occasion of Eid, a delegation of Association for Welfare, Medical, Educational and Legal Assistance (AWMELA), Azamgarh, visited Sanjarpur, Saraimeer, Beenapara, Barauli and Israuli villages in the district. Dr. Javed Akhtar, Dr. Fakhre Alam, Dr. Salman Sultan, Mr. Tareeq Ahmad Khan and Mr. Mumtazuzaman formed the delegation. Two more members Dr. Shamim Ahmad Khan and Mr. Shadab Ahmad @ Mister joined the delegation in Sanjarpur.
L-R: sitting alternately – Dr. Fakhre Alam, Mr. Mumtazuzaman, Dr. Javed Akhtar, Mr. Tareeq A. Khan
After initial rest at a place near a mosque and the famous ‘Chaupal’ in the shade of a Neem tree, the delegation visited Sajid’s house in Sanjarpur. Sajid, a teenager, was cold bloodedly murdered in Batla House along with Atif of neighboring Saraimeer. Sajid’s father has become reclusive, an evidence of the extent of tragedy befallen on this family. In spite of his reticence Sajid’s father insisted on serving tea to the members of AWMELA though sweets and other snacks were already served. The traditional hospitality persistent in the villages delayed our program but we could not refuse.
Sajid’s Father
L to R: Dr. Shamim A. Khan and his cousin (standing)
Ameeq Jamei (New Delhi) wanted to meet the delegation and had invited us to his village Jaighan but due to paucity of time we asked him to come to Sanjarpur. He came along with his younger brother and had discussion about AWMELA’s proposed visit to Delhi and the upcoming Human Rights conference there.
Ameeq Jamei (sitting on Right) in discussion with AWMELA delegation
From Sanjarpur we went to meet Atif’s father Mr. Amin in Saraimeer. After meeting Sajid and Atif’s father one gets disturbed by the questions those reclusive and distant looking eyes seemed to be asking. One felt ashamed living in a proclaimed secular democratic country where vehement, persistent and exhaustive non-violent protests against the seemingly fake Batla House Encounter has not even resulted in a simple initiation of fair time bound enquiry, otherwise mandatory in an encounter where death has occurred. Why prosecution is adopting delaying tactics and even after a year trial has not started? With this speed arriving at a judgment will perhaps be not possible in the life time of these young well educated arrested Muslim youths.
Mr. Amin (Atif’s father)
AWMELA then went to meet Mufti Abul Bashar’s father in village Beenapara. A paralyzed father has to bear this ignominy at the fag end of his life.
AWMELA delegation in Beenapara
Mufti Abul Bashar’s father
From Beenapara AWMELA delegation went to Barauli to be with the bereaved family of Maulana Abdur Rahman murdered in the fatal road rage expression of the local M.P. Is it possible to uphold the dignity of law when legislative body members care two hoots about the laws they are supposed to make and guard?
Late Abdur Rahman’s father (in center)
AWMELA in Barauli
It was near sunset that AWMELA could reach village Israuli to meet Arif Badar’s (arrested in Bombay) family. Arif Badar is lodged in jail and in his absence it is difficult to meet the requirements of daily life by his family.
AWMELA delegation wished to pay a visit to the family of Hakim Tariq Qasmi but congested lane from Rani Ki Sarai came in the way of smooth passage of our vehicle. However, one of AWMELA member Dr. Wahid was directed to be with the grieving family for some time. Similarly a small delegation could meet all other affected families in the city and villages next day of Eid.
In order to get justice we need to plan long-term sustained effort and a good coordination. A lot can be gained by denting the seemingly impregnable mainstream media, the fourth pillar of democracy. Web portals or print media depicting true picture instead of tainted views are gaining respectability and it is heartening to see quotations from www.TwoCircles.net and Milli Gazette (a fortnightly from New Delhi).