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:

  

...... 

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?

..........

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 346 of 2021

1644hrs:

Just to give the readers of this weblog an idea of how demanding - research based public rights activism - is in AJK: Imagine 100 people communicating with you on a daily basis (and this is the bane of modern day instant communication whereby almost everybody wants to talk to you immediately) and 98 of them presenting some demand or need for attention (most of which are in genuine public interest), while only 2 do not present any demands but rather offer to assist in any manner possible. 

Year on year of such a scenario - with increasing intensity - is not helping me change the 90/10 ratio of work yet to be uploaded cf to work uploaded. Having just - one full time research based public rights activist - stemming the onslaught of misinformation and mismanagement (of public resources) routinely carried out by occupying forces, is simply not sustainable.

......     

Its very heartening to see such forward movement in a cultural mission - close to my heart since 2009 at least - even in my absence, which makes it particularly soothing:

Active #mandir in foreground and active #masjid in background on #LOC in #Teetwaal
Portents of the revival of religious harmony in #JKA and a victory for #CivilSociety across the inhumane divide #JandK https://t.co/i49lOv6z5N

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) December 12, 2021

......

 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 345 of 2021

1706hrs:

One does feel at times - especially such as the current - that one should refrain from tackling new content and devote maximum time; to all those matters that have already been worked on, researched and content generated; yet not uploaded publicly. It has been mentioned in previous posts that, the ratio of work done in the past 16 years and almost 8 months, compared to work uploaded, still stands at a ratio of 90 to 10. 

I do want to change that. 

Not least because one can leave this world at any stage and there is no guarantee that the remaining work will be uploaded for public reference, at least not in the manner that one would be satisfied with. 

Thus......

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 344 of 2021

1926hrs:

One can now easily count the days that will end this year, which began in prison for me.

........

On International Human Rights day

Giving a short speech in our mother tongue Pahaari at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square was crucial:

On Youtube:

On Facebook:

.......

We also thought today was an opportune day to seek out level headed Pakistanis with the following pitch via Twitter:

I would dearly love to have a genuine dialogue with level headed Pakistanis in this thread, who can help us rationalise the relationship between AJK and Pakistan, for our mutual benefit as well as collectively for the world.

Here's the tweet that pitch relates to:

I wonder if any Pakistani will respond 2 this tweet in a manner that would improve our bonds of mutual respect - which despite everything do exist - it's just that none of them have come forward or offered to mediate, rather than adjudicate. I hope it's not 2 late #AJK #Pakistan https://t.co/k9kFJgO4r7

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) December 10, 2021

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 343 of 2021

2159hrs:

Moving from one task in public interest to the next, life is permanently engaged.

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 342 of 2021

2139hrs:

Everybody works at their own speed, has their own routine and their own temperament. Good noble causes generate concern, interest and even support but also invite diversity of opinion, approach and priorities.

Practice does make perfect, or at least improves one's ability to negotiate consensus and develop synthesis towards a plan of action. 

Such was the dilemma in the aftermath of one of Dadyaal's highest turnouts of both men and women yesterday, from all over the tehsil (subdivision). 

Every conscientious citizen and particularly the full time activist will instinctively try to estimate what is achievable in the short term, to maximise public interest.

......

Meanwhile, a committee to pursue justice for the raped and murdered orphan Kanwal Matloob - aged 11 years - was announced yesterday, during the protest at Maqbool Shaheed Chowk.  

.......

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 341 of 2021

2110hrs: 

I didn't finish the translation of the 'missing historic links of Sharda', until 0900hrs this morning. I had been working on it intermittently for the past week and reached the last pages at some point after midnight and just kept going.....

......

I have much to add on Kanwal Matloob - an 11 year old orphaned girl - alleged to have been brutally raped and murdered by a citizen from the neighbouring territory, about exactly a month ago. She was categorised as missing by her family on the evening of the 8th of November (2021), when she had failed to return home from the local bazaar near Pachwana, Kataar (in rural Dadyaal), where she had gone at about 1600hrs (4pm) that day. Subsequently, local 'law enforcement agencies' took about 25 days to 'solve' the crime and bring in the suspect for due legal process. 

Background:

It is reported that this young child was pounced on at a relatively remote stream between her home and her local bazaar by the alleged perpetrator (who hails from Faislabad in Pakistan and who had spent the last 2 years working at a tent service run by his own brother in this area). It is also reported that he then dragged her to an even more remote area (the crime scene can be seen in the following video):

 

After raping her, he hacked off her head from her body using stones and then concealed her in the foliage seen above. It is also reported that he continued to visit this 'crime' scene for the next 4 days and also began using acid to prevent the young corpse's odour from spreading. 

It is then reported that he left the area and was traced through CCTV footage of the local bazaar and tallying of telecommunications data of the area. He was picked up from Lahore in Pakistan, while 2 of his brothers were in police custody, under investigation. The police have stated publicly that under police interrogation the alleged perpetrator of this crime disclosed the location where he had committed this heinous crime and dumped her body.

Whatever the process, it wasn't until the 3rd of December that what had actually happened to Kanwal Matloob started to surface in the public domain.

....

We'll begin today's proceedings with this live video captured for JKTV. It runs for about 30 minutes and takes in the movement of the crowd from HBL Chowk in Aara Jattan to its destination at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square. It emerged that this crowd possibly provided an example of a level of unprecedented mass mobilisation of the public in Dadyaal:

 

The following video captured from elsewhere provides a clearer snapshot of the procession converging on Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square, courtesy Imran Shehzad Chugtai:

Snapshot footage from #Dadyaal of the revival of public rights activism - possibly unprecedented - as it converged on Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square on the 7th of December 2021, seeking #JusticeforKanwalMatloob #RuleofLaw #AJK
Courtesy: Imran Shehzad Chugtai pic.twitter.com/Fus4gfc1Y2

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) December 11, 2021

In the next video, it can also be gauged that this wasn't just an unprecedented gathering of men but women too, who were given the space within Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square itself. The size and prolonged presence of the crowd also forced the local administration to engage in a question and answer session here:

Then a video interview - taken towards the end of today's protest - by Tayyab Kashmiri, for his very popular Youtube channel (other videos of his have been referenced earlier in today's post too) is presented here:

 

Having closely monitored the speeches of all notable figures of Dadyaal - present at today's unprecedented protest - I felt it important to introduce a public policy approach to these oft repeated crimes and the lack of justice emanating from the administrative and judicial procedure adopted. 

Here I interview Iftikhar Siddiqui, who was most instrumental in generating such a crowd under the platform of Sada e Haq (Voice of Truth), which he founded:

On Youtube:

On Facebook (JKTV):

......

On this very day, something important of an academic nature was happening in London. At least, it was hosted in London and by a platform on Facebook created by the London School of Economics, namely LSE Ideas:

I did make use of the right to ask questions directly to the panel, during the discussion, via text.

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 340 of 2021

2143hrs:

The pro and cons of being transparent in an occupied territory, where your enemies have a vast advantage over all administrative aspects of society, is also an acquired skill. There are many examples of activity - where transparency works in your favour as the rights activist - but there are certain matters and occasions when being opaque, effectively preempts your adversary from depriving you of those rights.

.... 

In the wake of minor Kanwal Matloob's rape and murder in Kataar, Dadyaal, other examples of abduction of minors by people who've come from Pakistan to ostensibly work here - coincidentally or otherwise - are rapidly surfacing. The following is footage detailing an attempted abduction in the Poonch division by a Pathan from Pakistan:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 339 of 2021

2216hrs:

I'm totally immersed in some work in reference to the 'missing historical links of Sharda'.......

.......

I did want to visit the home of the slain Kanwal Matloob today but the above cited work kept me up all night. Rain was also a factor. I do understand that many people have converged there after yesterday's protest by women at Sandal Chowk. 

We also understand that the father of 6 year old Zainab Ansari, namely Amin Ansari (whose daughter was raped in Kasur, Pakistan in 2018 leading to a vociferous campaign for justice ensuing in that country, which culminated in the culprit's hanging soon after) has also visited in a moving gesture of solidarity. 

We also remember Asifa Bano - also in 2018 - but on this occasion across the LOC in our own territory. She was 8 years old and hailed from a Gujjar/Bakarwaal (nomadic shepherds) family of Kathua. Despite vicious attempts to derail due process by powerful quarters, heightened media attention and vigilance brought about a trial after 3 months. A further 14 months later, on 10 June 2019, six of the seven defendants were convicted and one acquitted. Three convicts were given life imprisonment and the other three 5 years.   

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 338 of 2021

1319hrs:

We progress but at a snail's pace given the diverse communications facilities at our disposal. Paying attention to everything that is important in public interest requires us to spread ourselves thinly across all sectors.

.....

My aim today was to participate for the first time in a monthly event, which has captured my attention for the past few months - for its revolutionary theory combined with practice - aimed to drive civilisation forward. Namely, 'Mithaali Ma-ashara' (Model Society) of Pachwana and Keri in rural Dadyaal, which are twin villages located in Union Council (UC) Kataar. 

However, when I arrived at Sandal Chowk, on the main thoroughfare between Dadyaal and Pakistan, where one road to the right links you to Kataar; the main road was blocked because of a sit-in protest, instigated and driven by the women of the region. 

They were in shock and anger over what had happened to Kanwal Matloob, an 11 year old orphaned child who went missing on the 8th of November. It wasn't until yesterday that the public learned of what the poor girl had to endure. Sensing the sensitivity of the case, the district police went public yesterday:

Now, these women wanted immediate justice and no less.

Background to the Kanwal Matloob case can be read in a subsequent entry

Other high profile cases of child female rape and murder cases in the region can be read here 

Meanwhile, here's some footage of today's event, which also brought me to tears:

 

I didn't agree with the protest ending, as I felt certainty of justice must be assured to break such public activity. Our track record of law enforcement in AJK is despicable, to say the least. 

.....

Meanwhile, the battle of narratives between Pakistan and Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA) is going down to the wire in Shaheed Chowk (Martyr's Square) Kotli. 

Here's a translation of the above post, written and posted on Toqeer Gilani's own Facebook wall today:

Kotli:

Bullets

- (Jammu Kashmir) Liberation Front workers continue their protest against the Kotli administration for return of their organisational literature. 

- A sit in protest at Shaheed Chowk (Martyr's Square) and a rally throughout the city were conducted against the administration and clandestine (intelligence) agencies (of the Pakistani State).  

- Slogans of: 

'Ghair Mulki Ghaasibo! Kashmir Hamara Chor Do!' 

(Foreign Occupiers! Leave our Kashmir (alone)!, 

'Gali Gali Me Shor Hay! Intezaamiya Literature Chor Hay! 

(There Is Commotion In Every Street & Alley! The Administration Is a Literature Thief!)

and...

'Hamaara Literature Waapas Karo' 

(Return Our Literature)

resounded (throughout the city).

- Interference in (local) administrative affairs by the military establishment is illegal and shameful. 

- The administration is under constant pressure from the clandestine (Pakistani intelligence) agencies to not return the literature. 

- Basic (fundamental) human rights are being denied on both sides of the Ceasefire Line. 

- (We) strongly condemn the arrest of Advocate Khurram Parvez from Indian Occupied Kashmir.

- The Pakistani State and its institutions springing into action against (our) 'Declaration of Independence' is the height of hypocrisy and enmity with Kashmir.

- After destroying Pakistan, the Pakistani ruling class is joining hands with the Indian ruling class to stab Jammu Kashmir's freedom struggle in the back.

- (The people of) Kashmir will under no circumstances back down from their right.

- Despite their oppressive and unjust stance, India and Pakistan will have to vacate this territory. 

- Participants at the rally and protest sit-in were addressed by Dr Toqeer Gilani, Abid Rajourvi, Ishtiaq Kashir, Zafar Rathore and Haider Ali.

Details

According to details (provided by) Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (Toqeer group), their continuous protest to reclaim their organisation's literature resumed 5 days ago. 

(Note: Their literature was confiscated on the 15th of October and they began a daily sit-in protest almost immediately. They stalled it after 26 days when the local administration and local traders provided verbal assurances that their literature would be returned. It wasn't and today effectively marks the 31st day of their sit-in protest with that 19 day interruption in between.)  

On Friday, the Liberation Front's (political) workers conducted a protest rally throughout various markets of the city of Kotli along with a sit-in protest at Shaheed Chowk, where they conducted a public meeting too. Participants in the rally continued to chant slogans in favour of the return of their literature; against the Kotli administration and clandestine agencies. 

Addressing the participants the zonal president of (Jammu Kashmir) Liberation Front Dr Toqeer Gilani said the Kotli administration is deliberately making matters worse. To not return the literature despite promising on two occasions is regrettable. The (local) administration is a victim of (Pakistan's) military agencies and this despite admitting that there is no malicious or anti-social content in the literature. They (the administration) continue to employ delaying tactics or excuses in not returning the literature and cite pressure from (Pakistan's) military agencies, which is disgraceful. 

Pakistan's clandestine agencies are illegally interfering in administrative and political matters (in AJK).

It is not only deplorable that (Pakistan's) military personnel infiltrate (everywhere) from shops to masaajid (plural of masjid) and schools to (local) administrative institutions; they also try to scare, threaten (intimidate/coerce) and apply pressure (on everybody to conform); this illegal interference must stop at all cost.  

The (very) agencies that have destroyed Pakistan are now hell bent on stabbing the freedom movement of (the people of) the State of Jammu Kashmir in the back, with the assistance of Indian agencies. 

On both sides of the ceasefire line basic human rights are infringed and those who propagate freedom are victimised with hateful propaganda as well as being targeted by the State machinery and black laws. 

He (Dr Toqeer) said the return of our organisation's literature is our right and under no circumstances will we withdraw our right. 

Dr Toqeer further explains that their 4th September 'Declaration of Independence' at Palandri had 'made life a living hell' for Pakistan's occupying agencies as at all cost they wanted to suppress voices calling for the State's freedom, so that they could execute the permanent division of the State (between them and India without consideration for the people of Jammu Kashmir).    

The enmity towards Kashmir (rather the people here) and hypocrisy by Pakistan's rulers has come clearly come to the fore. No Kashmiri is willing to trust any government institution or individual (government employee) working for Pakistan. 

There is simply and solely a military occupation here and likewise there is a military occupation on the other side (of Jammu Kashmir) too.

People are abducted from the ceasefire line and their families are warned and intimidated to not speak out, else their (abducted) family member will never come back. Even those (civilians) who become victims of (indiscriminate) land mines are also harassed.

From politics to the economy, from resources to jobs and (government occupational) transfers; everything is under the control of Pakistan's military institutions/agencies, while they talk of the rights of the Kashmiri people. These are the extremes of open hypocrisy and duplicity. It is these very hypocritical policies that have not only made Pakistan totally bankrupt economically today, it is also globally a victim of dire diplomatic isolation.

Dr Toqeer Gilani said the esteemed public of the State of Jammu Kashmir will fight for their right to freedom for centuries if need be and despite all manner of force and oppression India and Pakistan will have to vacate the State of Jammu Kashmir.

He (also) clarified that until their organisation's literature is returned the (Jammu Kashmir) Liberation Front will continue their protest.

Dr Toqeer Gilani and other speakers severely condemned the arrest of the famous human rights activist Advocate Khurram Parvez in Indian-occupied Jammu Kashmir and demanded that he be released immediately. 

Speakers (at the public meeting and sit-in protest) also demanded that the killer of minor girl Kanwal Matloob in Dadyaal be severely punished and that her affected family be provided relief. 

Participants at the protest were also addressed by the president of JKLF in tehsil (subdivision) Khuiratta namely Abid Rajourvi, Ishtiaq Kashir, Zafar Rathore, Haider Ali and others. 

End......(of translation)

Today's protest was particularly defiant given that it flouted yesterday's 'chess move' by Pakistan's clandestine agencies to impose Section 144 via the local District Magistrate. Here's a copy of the notice citing the familiar canard of 'enemy elements will use this sit-in protest to pursue their vulgar ambitions':

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