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STRUCTURES OF VIOLENCE

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448 | Structures of Violence<br />

and Mohammad Saleem. These witnesses<br />

categorically stated before the enquiry ofcer as to<br />

how Showkat Ali Mughal was arrested by the police<br />

and how they approached them for his release and in<br />

what manner they were avoided till they learnt about<br />

his death in custody. Further, that they made an effort<br />

to take him to hospital where he was declared dead.<br />

The medical report also suggested death by heart<br />

attack by fear/fright or sudden exposure to severe<br />

cold.<br />

The SHRC concluded that the statement of witnesses<br />

before the enquiry ofcer constituted credible<br />

evidence and the medical report also suggested that<br />

Showkat Ali Mughal had died in the police custody.<br />

Emphasis was placed on the fact that the death had<br />

taken place in custody.<br />

The report of the Additional District Magistrate, Rajouri<br />

was strongly criticized. Further, the SHRC stated that<br />

Showkat Ali Mughal was a “hale and hearty person”.<br />

The alleged perpetrators were found liable for the<br />

death of Showkat Ali Mughal.<br />

It is noteworthy that despite the passage of ve years,<br />

and the SHRC order, no investigations or prosecutions<br />

appear to have conducted or concluded by the Jammu<br />

and Kashmir Police. This has effectively helped the<br />

perpetrators of the crime evade justice.<br />

Case No. 172<br />

Victim Details<br />

1. Reyaz Ahmad Bhat [Abduction and Extra-<br />

Judicial Killing]<br />

Son of: Mohammad Ismail Bhat, Saleema<br />

Resident of: Shamishwari, Kalashpora,<br />

Srinagar<br />

2. M a n z o o r A h m a d S h e r g o j r i [ Wa g a y ]<br />

[Abduction and Extra-Judicial Killing]<br />

Age: 15/16<br />

Son of: Ghulam Qadir<br />

Spouse: Mugli<br />

Resident of: Naina Batpora, Pulwama district<br />

3. Sartaj Ahmad Ganai [Abduction and Extra-<br />

Judicial Killing]<br />

Son of: Ghulam Qadir<br />

Resident of: Tikipora, Shopian district<br />

4. Identity not ascertained [Abduction and Extra-<br />

Judicial Killing]<br />

Alleged Perpetrators<br />

1. Hilal Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Madina<br />

Colony, Bemina, Civilian<br />

2. Ajaz Ahmad, brother of Hilal Ahmad Sheikh,<br />

Civilian<br />

3. Showkat Ahmad Mir, brother in law of Hilal<br />

Ahmad Sheikh, Inspector in the Vigilance<br />

Department<br />

4. Assistant Sub-Inspector [ASI] Tariq, Duty<br />

Ofcer, S.R.Gunj Police Station, Jammu and<br />

Kashmir Police<br />

5. Ghulam Rasool, Station House Ofcer [SHO],<br />

S. R. Gunj Police Station, Jammu and<br />

Kashmir Police<br />

6. Commandant, 47 Rashtriya Ries [RR], Army<br />

[as of April 2007]<br />

7. Mohammad Younis, Special Operations<br />

Group [SOG], Jammu and Kashmir Police,<br />

Gungbugh<br />

8. Mohammad Sha, Special Operations Group<br />

[SOG], Jammu and Kashmir Police,<br />

Gungbugh<br />

9. Qamar-ud-Din, Station House Ofcer [SHO],<br />

Kupwara Police Station, Special Operations<br />

Group [SOG], Jammu and Kashmir Police,<br />

Gungbugh<br />

Case Information<br />

The four victims were killed. Armed forces claimed to<br />

have killed four militants on 29 April 2007.<br />

The family of Reyaz Ahmad Bhat state that he went<br />

missing on 25 April 2007. His sister, Sabia, was<br />

married to Hilal Ahmad Sheikh. Sabia was at her<br />

parent's residence on that day. Hilal Ahmad Sheikh<br />

came to the house along with his brother Ajaz Ahmad.<br />

There was a ght in which Reyaz Ahmad Bhat<br />

intervened. Reyaz Ahmad Bhat left the house along<br />

with Hilal Ahmad Sheikh and Ajaz Ahmad and has<br />

disappeared since. A few minutes later, the police<br />

arrived and the brother of Reyaz Ahmad Bhat, Javed<br />

Ahmad Bhat was taken to the S.R.Gunj Police Station.<br />

Subsequently, the father of the victim and two others<br />

were also arrested and brought to the police station. All<br />

of them were beaten at the police station. At this point,<br />

Showkat Ahmad Mir, an Inspector in the Vigilance<br />

Department and brother in law of Hilal Ahmad Sheikh<br />

was present in the police station. Tariq, the Duty<br />

Ofcer at the police station was the person<br />

administering the beatings. On the fth day of the<br />

arrest, Javed Ahmad Bhat heard Ghulam Rasool,<br />

SHO, S.R.Gunj Police Station, tell someone on the<br />

phone that “Reyaz” had been “hit” in Nowgam. Javed<br />

Ahmad Bhat was nally released on 1 May 2007. By<br />

this time, the others had been released as well.<br />

On 2 May 2007, Javed Ahmad Bhat received an<br />

anonymous phone call informing him that his brother<br />

had been killed at Kandi, Kupwara. A similar phone call<br />

was received on the following day as well. Javed<br />

Ahmad Bhat went to the SHO, S.R.Gunj Police Station<br />

to le an FIR but the SHO, Ghulam Rasool, refused to<br />

do so.<br />

On 9 November 2007, Javed Ahmad Bhat visited the<br />

Kupwara Police Station where he was shown<br />

photographs of the 29 April 2007 encounter. While he<br />

was not certain, he seemed to recognize the picture of<br />

his brother. The body of Reyaz Ahmad Bhat was not<br />

exhumed as much time had already passed.

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