Daily Diary (DD) - Day 36 of 2024

0851hrs:

Have returned to almost where I left off a day before yesterday. Although I slept at c. 0200hrs I did get up at 0800hrs this morning. The length of sleep is at the optimum level but the timing is still 2 hours out of sync.

Today is an important day in the journey towards reclaiming ownership of AJK by its people. 

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The 5th of February will never again be used as a date to re-affirm colonisation of Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas in the name of false solidarity:

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After another solid public turnout a local youngster was keen to interview me in reference to the transfer of water and soil from Sharda that ended up in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh India:

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Today was also an opportune time to try and make contact with the Indian Government on the matter of our missing juveniles who mistakenly crossed the LOC at some point in the last couple of years. We are focussing on one case in particular:

The email is copied below (exactly as sent, followed by the letter as a pdf attachment)

Request for repatriation of juvenile Abdus Samad who inadvertently crossed the LOC at Tithrinote/Chakkan Da Bagh (Poonch) on 25/11/2021

Tanveer Ahmed <sahaafi@gmail.com>

Attachments

5 Feb 2024, 09:50

to: cons.islamabad@mea.gov.in

Dear Sir/Madam

Please find a pdf file attached to this email. I will also embed the letter here for convenience:

Subject of letter: Request for repatriation of juvenile Abdus Samad who inadvertently crossed the LOC at Tithrinote/Chakkan Da Bagh (Poonch) on 25/11/2021

Addressed to: The Indian Government (dated 05/02/2024) via

1)    Indian High Commission in Islamabad - Pakistan

2)    Zahid Ahmed Ghorsi – Advocate High Court Jammu J & K

Dear Sir/Madam

JKA PUBLIC AGENCY acting on the request Muhammad Aslam Khan (maternal grandfather & guardian of juvenile Abdus Samad) would earnestly like to bring to your attention the prolonged detention of Abdus Samad son of Muhammad Banaras Khan (date of birth: 22/03/2007) at an ‘Observation Centre’ or ‘Juvenile Home’ in Ranbir Singh Pura in Jammu district of Jammu & Kashmir, despite an order for his release by the Juvenile Justice Board in Poonch district on 25 August 2022 reference: https://www.thequint.com/news/india/pakistani-minor-boy-asmad-ali-kin-react-release-order-by-juvenile-board-held-for-crossing-line-of-control

Abdus Samad (also referred to as Asmad Ali in the press) has already been through a very turbulent childhood wherein he lost his parents at a very young age and has been brought up by his maternal grandmother, whose own health has deteriorated to a critical level because of her grandson’s prolonged absence.

The family have also engaged Advocate Zahid Ahmed Ghorsi of Jammu to obtain his release through due legal process and would be happy to arrange any relevant legal fees through your High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan.

We recognise that this is quite an unconventional way of resolving a matter that perhaps could have been resolved in a more simplified manner much closer to the time of it occurring. Over 2 years have now elapsed and we wish for a conclusion in the form of repatriation, ideally with Abdus Samad being handed over to his family at the crossing point in Tithrinote/Chakkan Da Bagh (operational between 2006 & 2018), where his grandparent’s home is barely metres away from.

We would request that you guide us as to how this matter can be amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned and what relevant assurances would be needed in this regard.

We thank you for your time and hope this proves to be a worthy mechanism for conflict resolution.

Regards

Tanveer Ahmed – Founder JKA PUBLIC AGENCY

Contact: 0092 343 0860380

Email: sahaafi@gmail.com

JKA PUBLIC AGENCY Note: #E090005022024

..end of letter 

Tanveer Ahmed

Attachment:

 

Update:

On the 13th of February the email was also forwarded to: 

Indian High Commission - Islamabad Pakistan:

info2.islamabad@mea.gov.in

Ministry of External Affairs (Government of India) Central Registry, South Block

aord@mea.gov.in

Dr. S. Jaishankar (External Affairs Minister)

eam@mea.gov.in

Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh (Minister of State for External Affairs)

mos.rrs@mea.gov.in

Rupjyoti Brahma Karjee

Private Secretary to Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh

dsmos.rrs@mea.gov.in

Shri V. Muraleedharan (Minister of State for External Affairs)

mosvmo@mea.gov.in

Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi (Minister of State for External Affairs)

mos.ml@mea.gov.in

After numerous attempts to reach the Indian High Commission by phone (including the various switchboard numbers and an emergency WhatsApp number) failed:

Follow-up phone calls made to:

Indian High Commission - Islamabad Pakistan

00 92 (0) 51 283 3283

00 92 (0) 51 283 3251

00 92 (0) 51 283 3252

00 92 (0) 51 283 3253

00 92 (0) 300 8543037

A plea was also made to Indian civil society subsequent to this.

Links to earlier reports on Abdus Samad:

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 347 of 2021

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 55 of 2022

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 176 of 2022

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 237 of 2022

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 237 of 2022

1406hrs:

Day 81 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0820hrs

My punctuality deficit has increased to 234 minutes.

Punctuality percentage: 43 days late of 81 = 53% late

Damn! Another late day today.

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Finally, it appears Asmaad Aslam of Tithrinote on the LOC in Hajeera will be home soon:

Juvenile Justice Board, Poonch Issues Release Order of Asmad Ali https://t.co/YNN8RPOInL via @Change Many thanks to #IndianCivilSociety & Rahul Kapoor in particular for tirelessly pursuing this child's release.#JKASovereignty

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) August 25, 2022

I felt it necessary to input the following comment at the petition website cited above:

I think this is a major achievement on the part of Indian civil society. Congratulations.

At this stage we will forego the description of him as a Pakistani, which he legally and constitutionally isn't. Nevertheless, pursuing his release tirelessly is a significant gesture of goodwill, on the part of Rahul Kapoor in particular.

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Today was also 'Meeting the AC' day. Regular followers of this weblog will know that we like to keep our local administration and municipality engaged with all developments at Maqbool Bhat Martyr's Square. The following letter explains to the Assistant Commissioner (AC) that even at this late stage of the gardening season we would still like the administration and municipality to play a part in financing the beautification of the Square. They are always welcome to aid us in cleaning and gardening too.

Here's the latest written communication: 

Note that the last time we communicated was on August the 3rd. That was the 4th time since we began communicating on the 15th of June. Hence, the above is communication exhibit number 5.

However, the AC 'explained' that the municipality doesn't have any money and that we are welcome to do whatever is necessary to beautify the Square. We have promptly forwarded his written remarks to the municipality.

In the meantime, the president of the trader's association in Dadyaal, namely Anwar Daar has assured us that he will obtain a written MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) from the AC. Meanwhile, he suggests that we continue public funding to pay for the metal grills that we need to fortify the Square from animals.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 176 of 2022

0718hrs:

Day 20 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0804hrs

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Consistency is being maintained - like never before in my 17 year career here - in search of that compound effect.

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The following story is gory but it does happen in our territory:

27 سالہ خاتون حسینہ بی بی اور اس کے 18 ماہ کے معصول پھول کے چار قاتل اور چار سہولت کار۔#NeelumValley @SardarTanveerIK @sahaafi @MughalAmiruddin @UsmanTariqUSK @WaqarBagga @TariqNaqash @Yaseenusman_OFL @aakmaljarall @HamidMirPAK https://t.co/4bqHVFcKVb

— Zaara (@zaara_kashmiri) June 25, 2022

English translation of the Urdu text above:

27 year old lady Haseena Bibi and her 18 month old innocent flower (child) were killed by 4 people, assisted by 4 others.

End of translation....

I'll translate the report too, which can be read in Urdu at the link above.

We understand that this is an actual photo of Haseena's hand after her body was found in the Neelam river at Nagdar

Paalri in Diwaarian, which is in the Neelam Valley is where this gory incident happened.

The 4 alleged killers:

1) Sudhir - deywar i.e. younger brother of husband

2) Taaj un Nissa aka 'Taaju' - jethaani i.e. wife of husband's older brother

3) Sumera - nand i.e. husband's sister

4) Irfan - deywar i.e. younger brother of husband

The 4 alleged accomplices:

1) Vakeel Chisti son of Zulfiqar - peon or clerk in judiciary

2) Qazi Khursheed - local (power/public issue) broker

3) Guard Muhammad Hussain - retired employee of the department of forestry

4) Fazal Hussain Diwani - a political lackey of PMLN (Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz) and local (power/public issue) broker

All the above (8) are alleged to have been involved in the murder of:

1) Haseena Bibi - 27 years old

2) Anas - her son of 18 months (age) who is still missing.

On the 3rd of June at 3pm, it is alleged that Haseena Bibi's in-laws killed her and threw her into the Neelam river. At 7pm (in the evening) her in laws phoned Haseena's mother and informed her that her daughter is missing. As soon as she received this shocking news her mother - along with other villagers - went out in search of her but - oblivious of her daughter's fate - could not find a clue as to her daughter's whereabouts.

After 2 days the missing woman's mother and maternal uncle visited the relevant police station at Lawaat Pine to lodge an FIR (First Information Report) but the police displayed neglect and did not lodge an FIR, leaving them at the mercy of a local jirga (supposedly a meeting of a group of tribal men that has the authority to settle a dispute in a way acceptable to both sides), which in this particular case has been referred to as a 'jirga mafia'.

After the lapse of 7 days the missing woman's mobile and her identity card were recovered from her in laws. When the police of Lawaat station were contacted with this important information they exercised neglect once again. Thus, no action was taken and neither was an FIR lodged. As previously, the matter was handed over to a local 'jirga mafia' once again. In that jirga was Vakeel Chisti s/o Zulfiqar on whose instructions the women's mother was offered money - that you take this money and forget about the issue - that if you follow this instruction it would be most convenient for you. Otherwise, I (Vakeel Chisti) will not let your application (for justice) be considered in any part of the district (of Neelam).

Vakeel Chisti of Dhakan Kot in Diwaarian is a clerk with the district Qazi (separate judge exercising Islamic law as part of the dual judicial structure in AJK) was also citing the reputation of his job (to exude his power/status) but the missing woman's parents were not calmed by this strategy (to bury the issue). Haseena's parents went to the SP (superintendent of police) Neelam's office once again and briefed him on the whole issue, which the SP in turn marked their application and sent it to Lawaat police station for appropriate investifation. Despite this order from their superior, the police station at Lawaat still refrained from taking action or even writing an FIR.

After the lapse of 18 days it was intimated at the police station in Lawaat that the missing woman was alive and in Rawalpindi (Pakistan). On that very day people from her parents side as well as her in-laws with 2 policemen in tow went to Rawalpindi in search of Haseena Bibi. When they reached Rawalpindi they learned that the woman's dead body had been found in the river Neelam downstream at Nagdar and had been transferred to DHQ (district headquarter hospital) in Neelam Valley. At this juncture, it transpired that the Lawaat police had lied and therefore it was now their responsibility that they publicly disclose those who said that the missing Haseena Bibi was alive and in Rawalpindi.

It was on Wednesday 22/06/2022 at 11am that the woman's dead body had been found by rescue personnel at Nagdar by the river Neelam and transferred to DHQ, 19 days after she was 'assumed' to be missing. When Haseena Bibi's in-laws learned of this development they reached the hospital before the parents of the allegedly murdered woman and declared to the hospital staff that this dead body was not that of Haseena Bibi. The dead woman's mother reached the hospital at 4pm and when she noticed a ring on the corpse's finger, she recognised it to be that of her supposedly missing daughter. However, the hospital staff refused to hand over the body to her and said that her 2 sisters should also be called to the hospital, so that they may confirm with assurity that indeed this was the body of Haseena Bibi. In the meantime, all the rest of the household had reached the hospital, whereupon it was established and confirmed that this was indeed the dead body of the missing woman. 

Furthermore, around the neck of the dead woman were 3 keys. When the police reached the house of Haseena Bibi's in-laws, they checked the keys with the metal boxes (trunks) in her room which confirmed that the 3 keys corresponded to the 3 locks on the 3 boxes. This further clarified that the dead body was indeed that of Haseena Bibi. At 9pm the DHQ administration - once a post mortem had been conducted - handed over Haseena's corpse to her parents. In the post mortem report it can be clarified that murder - and not suicide - was suspected. The woman's dead body was taken to her ancestral village Paalri in Diwaarian and buried.

Missing with the woman was her infant child of 18 months Anas, who has not been found to date. The poor victimised family of Haseena Bibi are repeatedly making vociferous appeals to 'higher authorities' that they be delivered justice and the killers of their 27 year old daughter be delivered appropriate punishment for their crimes. It is their responsibility and the bereaved family have complete faith in these 'higher authorities' that they will definitely fulfill their duty.

The motive of why she was killed is still unclear.

End of translation from above cited Urdu report....

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This is an important development in the story of Asmaad Aslam, the young boy who accidentally crossed over the LOC from Tithrinote, Hajeera in November last year: 

 

Asmad Finally Spoke to His Family on Phone after 7 months https://t.co/0GH6vl1OgH via @Change

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) July 2, 2022

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In the evening I was invited to 2 Twitter spaces. Both at different spectrums of the internal narrative of JKA. As both events coincided with each other I had to comply with the first request first. Here are the links (although the second programme wasn't recorded unfortunately):

1) Growing Jihadi Politics in Pakistan-controlled-Kashmir/GilgitBaltistan

https://t.co/3vm1mp5uZw

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) June 25, 2022

2) #UK should apologise for selling & dividing #Jammu #Kashmir

 

#UK #Jammu #Kashmir https://t.co/yX9Mi4esz5

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) June 25, 2022

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 55 of 2022

0926hrs:

Day 36 at Martyr's Square Kotli

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A dose of daily wisdom continues:

Translation:

It is beyond my understanding 

that those who cannot implement 

Islamic commandments on their own bodies

How will they implement Islam over the whole country??

Head of Sharia: Syed Ataullah Shah Bukhari (May Allah bless him)  

(at) Urdu Park Delhi 1946

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Journalist Fazal ur Rehman of Smaahni remains up to date:

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The following photo is perhaps going a bit too far but gives an indication of the love of my supporters. Che Guevara and Maqbool Bhat went through a lot more than I ever could:

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Remember Asmaad Aslam?

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A very windy day today and we have to combat that on top of everything else:

If you cannot directly read the text of the Facebook post above:

English:

From 1947 to 2022 India avoided collecting public opinion of the people of JKA as they knew they would lose.

From 1947 to 2022 Pakistan avoided collecting public opinion of the people of JKA as they (foolishly) insisted In advance that the people here provide an oath of allegiance.

From 2011 to 2016 an inheritor of this very territory diligently collected public opinion in AJK and an overwhelming majority exposed the bilateral collaboration of both countries.

Now that inheritor has been waiting for 36 days at Martyr's Square Kotli , anticipating the remaining inheritors.

Urdu:

انڈیا نے اس لیے متحدہ جموں کشمیر کے لوگوں سے 1947 سے 2022 تک رائے نہیں لی کیونکہ انکو پتہ تھا کہ وہ ہار جائیں گئے

پاکستان نے اس لیے متحدہ جموں کشمیر کے لوگوں سے 1947 سے 2022 تک رائے نہیں لی کیونکہ وہ بضد تھے کہ پہلے یہاں کہ لوگوں سے وفاداری کا حلف لیں۔

آذاد جموں کشمیر کے لوگوں کی رائے یہاں کے وارث نے ہی 2011 تا 2016 تک لی اور بھاری اکثریت نے دونوں ملکوں کی ملی بھگت کو بے نقاب کر دیا!

اب وہ وارث باقی وارثوں کے انتظار میں ہے 36 دن سے شہید چوک کوٹلی میں۔

End of Facebook notes....

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As much as I try and avoid him, he seems to cross my path, albeit virtually:

kai etebaar se, ye baat aap par bhi laagoo hay.

In many respects, this applies to you too.

If you were not a mental slave yourself, #AJK N #JKA would not be in the mess it is today. You are weak in heeding advice, despite the passing of almost 12 years. https://t.co/XC3JBZJhH5

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) February 24, 2022

Earlier in the day, he (Raja Farooq Haider x. PM of AJK) had made some bold noises about the State of JKA. However, he usually follows that up with a meek apology to the masters who control him in Pakistan. In my opinion, he's more of a liability than an asset:

To paraphrase what he said:

India and Pakistan cannot divide this territory between themselves. The land of JKA is not bait ul maal (war booty) or khalsa sarkar (crown land). He also reiterated his demand that AJK be recognised as the genuine successor state to the Dogra State of JKA. Gilgit Baltistan should be given a AJK like set-up and have confederation-type terms with AJK.  

Haider also reminded the audience that he had categorically informed the senior leadership of his party (PML-N viz. Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz) on the 25th of December 2020 that if they - the party - took any steps to permanently divide the territory of JKA between India and Pakistan, he would be the first to revolt against them.

JKA is not a territorial issue between geographic neighbours but a people's issue, which only the people can represent themselves, to the outside world, he repeated once more to an audience outside Islamabad press club.

Someone encapsulated some of the above in a photo:

Bearing in mind what he says disparagingly about 'bait ul maal' (this term also applies to evacuee property) and remembering what Malik Waseem & family have gone through to remain caretakers of Ratan Singh and Sardar Singh's land in Naluchi Muzaffarabad, it is obvious what he - Raja Farooq Haider - and others in the AJK government and administration think about 'bait ul maal'. A 'free for all' is what he is implying.

Haider's entry at this All Parties Conference was also in line with his Jekyll and Hyde temperament:

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Here's the Twitter version of the notes from late afternoon in Martyr's Square. Mind, notes on Twitter can be a challenge to squeeze in, even if we split the note in 2: 

1 of 2

From #1947to2022 #India avoided collecting public opinion f the people f #JKA as they knew they wud lose.

From 1947 to 2022 #Pakistan avoided collecting public opinion f the people f JKA as they (foolishly) insisted n advance that the people here provide n oath f allegiance. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/dQvKMCLXNA

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) February 24, 2022

2 of 2

Frm 2011 2 2016 n inheritor f this very territory diligently collected public opinion n #AJK & n overwhelming maj. exposed the bilateral collaboration f both countries.

Now that inheritor has bn waiting 4 36 days @ #MartyrsSquareKotli , anticipating the remaining inheritors. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/akhzt54PEZ

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) February 24, 2022

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The woes of politically active students in AJK continues:

The Central Disciplinary Committee of the University ''AJK'' has issued a notice against me in which 11 allegations will be leveled against me which are completely baseless. The UAJK administration wants to eliminate politics from the university. Which is reprehensible.@sahaafi https://t.co/WGS8ClasLr

— Akmal Jarall (@aakmaljarall) February 24, 2022

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The value of culture and the lurking danger of extinction:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 347 of 2021

0915hrs:

So, a change of routine and the circumstances require it to be. Our next task in the long queue ahead is filing a report on 14 year old Asmaad Aslam of Tithrinote, who wandered off in the evening of the 25th of November towards the Indian controlled side and was soon picked up by the Indian army patrolling nearby. As you can see from this following video; I just fortuitously happened to visit the area around his home 9 days earlier and made this video to document my experience, as I am prone to do wherever I go:

  

The home of 14 yr old Asmaad Aslam who wandered across the #LOC on the 25th of Nov 2021. I just so happened to visit this area 9 days earlier on the 16th. There is silence on his current status on the #Indian side & the #Pakistanis are 'ordering' his family to stay silent too. pic.twitter.com/XUqE7LQ0qs

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) December 13, 2021

 

Asmaad Aslam has already had a turbulent childhood and has been living with his maternal grandparents here in Tithrinote - literally on the LOC - since early childhood. He's a student of the 9th grade and for whatever inquisitive or adventurous reason crossed over into the Indian controlled territory of Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA). 

A video of him being escorted to Poonch police station (on the other side - remember that there is a Poonch police station in Rawalakot on this - the Pakistani controlled side too) is presented here. Asmaad wondered across on the 25th of November and was soon picked up by the Indian army and this video was published 3 days later on the 28th by Gulistan News Channel:

I've left the following comment on the above channel's website:

"So, Asmaad Aslam (not Usman and to clarify his name on his official B form is Abdul Samad and Asmaad is a derivation of that) wandered across. He's an innocent child and his family is getting increasingly worried about him. I've compiled a report on this incident and would now request the Indian controlled authorities to kindly return him to his family via the Tithrinote crossing point." 

Note 1: Aslam is Asmaad's maternal grandfather's name who brought him up. Banaras is the name of his father and Akhter has also been used as his surname. Thus, in other reports or footage the names Asmaad Aslam, Asmaad Banaras and Asmaad Akhter may have been used.

Note 2: Chakkan da Bagh is the name given to the area across the LOC while on this side is Tithrinote (much like Pakistanis use the name Wagha while the Indians use Attari for their border in the Punjab).

Now, the incident was first reported by JKTV within hours of Asmaad disappearing across the Line of Control and according to its report, Indian media had confirmed that he was in the custody of Indian security forces:

14 year old Asmaad Aslam has now been in Indian armed forces custody for 18 days and all attempts by Asmaad's family to retrieve their child - via the local administration on this side - have effectively fallen on deaf ears. Furthermore, the Pakistani armed forces and their clandestine agencies have 'ordered' the family to remain silent. They have been expressly told to not publicly protest Asmaad's capture and detention across the LOC. To not engage the media or anybody else in this matter. Whoever visits their home is monitored by Pakistan's clandestine agencies and when the visitors leave, the agencies - as per habit and routine - pounce on the family to 'enquire' as to what was discussed. 

The family is in a state of both paralysis and fear, on top of the distress that is mounting with each passing day. 

As routine and in principal on my part, whenever local civil society anywhere in AJK reports such incidents to me, it is always followed by a request to engage in resolving such matters.

Thus, having compiled this preliminary report, it is now for me to engage contacts across the divide and also engage the local administration here, while keeping the family abreast of all developments. 

Cross LOC civil society intervention is also a viable avenue to pursue but if this 'cut and dry' issue can be resolved through communication with the local administration on the other side, that would ease the distress on Asmaad Aslam's family and him too.

Local civil society in the region on this side is also getting increasingly agitated and is keen on beginning a series of protests for Asmaad's safe return.  

Yesterday evening, after much cajoling and explanation of the importance of speaking in public, the maternal grandmother and maternal uncle of Asmaad agreed to take part in the following interview this evening:

Meanwhile, I have been in touch with some instrumental people across the LOC and have shared this report with them. I am hopeful and confident that this matter will be resolved very soon.

Update 14/12/2021:

Children of the area including Asmaad's classmates have protested in Tithrinote today. Here is some footage:

Read as (Roman Urdu):

Zulm ke zaabtey Tuliba nahi maantey

Hum taalib ilmo ka mutaaliba hay ke:

Aala hukaam aur insaani huqooq ki tanzeemey naujawan ki 

baahifaazat waapsi ke liye apna kirdaar ada karey

Waapas karo...Waapas karo.......Asmaad Banaras ko waapas karo

(English translation):

Students do not accept the code of oppression

We students demand that:

Higher authorities and human rights organisations should 

play their role for the safe return of (this) youth

Return him....Return him......Return Asmaad Banaras

Read as (Roman Urdu):

Ehtejaj Ehtejaj Ehtejaj

Hamaarey Taalibilm saathi

Asmaad Banaras ko jald az jald

Waapas kiya jaye

Jo ghalti se khooni lakeer paar kar gaya

Minjaanib: Tulba tanzeem Tithrinote

Protest Protest Protest

Asmaad Banaras should be returned 

as soon as possible

Who has mistakenly crossed the bloody line 

Courtesy: Students' organisation Tithrinote

End of update....

Update 23/12/2021:

A larger protest for Asmaad Aslam's return took place today at Tithrinote:

End of update...

Update 26/12/2021:

Students in nearby Abbaspur have also come out to protest Asmaad Aslam's prolonged detention in Poonch city:

End of update...

Update 27/01/2022:

There are important points to draw from this following video which shows a strong turnout of civil society; conducting a symbolic 8 kilometre walk from Ser Kakuta to the gates of the LOC at Tithrinote. We think both India and Pakistan are taking liberties in the handling of this matter:

End of Update....

Update 02/02/2022:

Wahid Kashar gives us an update of his efforts in conjunction with others to secure Asmaad's release:

Wahid has engaged/corresponded on this issue with:

1) Amnesty International - London

2) International Human Rights Council - Geneva

3) Jammu Kashmir Council for Human Rights - London

4) Deputy Commissioner - Poonch (Indian-controlled J & K)

5) Senior Superintendent Police - Poonch (Indian-controlled J & K) 

He describes that discussions are ongoing with all the above and a breakthrough is imminent. Wahid also intends to submit a letter to the Indian High Commission in London too, seeking Asmaad's release.

End of Update.....

Update 08/02/2022:

We object to him being described as a 'Pakistani'. That is a matter of choice and choice cannot be imposed. Neither by #India nor #Pakistan https://t.co/hrgPKt6HGs

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) February 8, 2022

End of Update...

Update 16/03/2022:

  

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Some notes for our children, as prompted by this reminder of a photo from 10 years ago. The children in this photo would of course be 10 years older too:

For the reader's convenience, I'll post the text that I wrote here too:

Our children may have little idea of the world they are growing up in. 

As the most fiercely contested territory in the world, how do we peacefully, ethically, legally and democratically engage with the world? 

What is the price of our distinct identity? 

Do we understand how bias towards any other country, power or ideology will erode that identity and prolong the intensity of this contest?

Do we think for others or do we think for our self?

Is self part of national identity or is national identity part of self?

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