A team comprising activists, academicians and journalists visited the site of the police operation against alleged terrorists staying in an apartment in Jamia Nagar in the afternoon of 20.09.2008 (Saturday). Two alleged terrorists Atif and Sajid, along with Mohan Chand Sharma, an inspector of the Delhi Police’s Special Cell died in the operation while a third alleged terrorist was arrested.
On the basis of our interactions with the local residents, eye witnesses and the reports which have appeared in the media, we would like to pose the following questions:
1) It has been widely reported that in early August this year Atif, who is described by the Delhi Police as the mastermind behind the recent terrorist bombings in Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Delhi, underwent a police verification exercise along with his four roommates in order to rent the apartment they were staying in Jamia Nagar. All the five youth living in the apartment submitted to the Delhi police their personal details, including permanent address, driving license details, address of the house they previously stayed in, all of which were found to be accurate. Though the police is now denying the veracity of the verification form, Mr. Rehman, the caretaker of the flat, has vouched, on camera, that he accompanied Atif to the Police Station for the verification.
Is it conceivable that the alleged kingpin behind the terrorist Indian Mujahideen outfit would have wanted to undergo a police verification- for whatever purpose- just a week after the Ahmedabad blasts and a month before the bombings in Delhi?
2) The four-storeyed house L-18 in Jamia Nagar, where the alleged terrorists were staying, has only one access point, through the stair case, which is covered by an iron grill. It is impossible to leave the house except from the staircase. By all reports, the staircase was taken over by the Special Cell and/ or other agencies during the counter-terror operation. The house, indeed the entire block, was cordoned off at the time of the operation.
How then was it then possible, as claimed by the police, for two alleged terrorists to escape the premises during the police operation?
3) The media has quoted ‘police sources’ as having informed them that the Special Cell was fully aware about the presence of dreaded terrorists, involved in the bombings in Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Delhi, staying in the apartment that was raided.
Why was the late Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, a veteran of dozens of encounter operations, the only officer in the operation not wearing a bullet proof vest? Was this due to over-confidence or is there something else to his death during the operation? Will the forensic report of the bullets that killed Inspector Sharma be made public?
4) There are reports that towards the end of the counter-terror operation, some policemen climbed on the roof of L-18 and fired several rounds in the air. Other policemen were seen breaking windows and even throwing flower pots to the ground from flats adjacent or opposite to L-18
Why was the police firing in the air and why did it indulge in destruction of property around L-18 after the encounter?
5) The police officials claim that an AK-47 and pistols were recovered from L-18.
What was the weapon that killed Inspector Sharma? Was the AK-47 used at all and by whom? Going by some reports that have appeared (see ‘Times of India’, 20.09.08), the AK-47s have been used by the police only. Is it not strange that alleged terrorists did not use a more deadly and sophisticated weapon like the AK-47, which they purportedly possessed, preferring to use pistols?
We feel that there are far too many loose ends in the current story of the police encounter at L-18 in Jamia Nagar. We demand that a fair, impartial and independent probe into the incident be initiated at the earliest to answer the above questions as also any other ones that arise from the contradictions of the case.
Signed/- Shabnam Hashmi (Anhad), Satya Sivaraman (Independent Journalist), Manisha Sethi (Forum for Democratic Initiatives), Tanweer Fazal (Forum for Democratic Initiatives), Arshad Alam (Jamia Millia Islamia), Neshat Quaiser (Jamia Millia Islamia), Pallavi Deka (General Secretary, JNU Students’ Union)
Photo: A Street At Jamia Nagar
@Sudie,
Some of what you are talking about did come out in an issue of India Today.
One thing that we have to bear in mind is the fact that all these bombings have started AFTER major attacks in riots on the Muslims. The terrorists view themselves as taking revenge for the violence that was perpetrated agaonst their community.
And if the VHP and Bajrang Dal are given a free run, there will be a mindless spiral of violence, where everytime these people attack Muslims, terrorists will strike back. Right thinking people have to unite to prevent this.
Sudie, That is the official news in India today.
Now we will have to wait for new consiparcy theories or an objective introspection by the Muslim community. By all accounts former rather than latter will be coming up.
Milind
It will be very incorrect to just say that these are a reaction. There is something much more than that:
• There is a certain sense of angst – whether it’s a combination of brainwashing, poverty, the whole aspect of not being able to get much success professionally – needs to be investigated. The clinical nature in which these were carried shows deep anger. Are these mentally sick LOSERS taking the pleasure of a psychopath at hitting at people who they perceive to be better of and more successful. Maybe its a case of extreme envy and jealousy.
• I cannot speak for myself because frankly I do not consider world in this manner. But there are many Hindus who have a deep sense of angst that their temples were decimated by hordes of invaders (who were Islamic). The partition had more bloodshed than any. But we did not see any terrorism in India post that. Whether Islamist or Hindutva.
• We need to find out if people directly involved in the riots became terrorists. These are not crimes of passion. These are well worked out schemes. But it’s not sure what the objective is. Is the impression that by planting bombs the incompetent state machinery will become competent and dispense justice more fairly? Or is it that they deliberate want to create riots and unrest.
• Militancy in Kashmir can be understood – directed towards independence/joining Pakistan, but clearly we do not have the numbers with the Islamists to force another partition of India.
• The Godhra episode can be sited as a reason to provoke anger in the local population. The very mass nature of the riots established that. But it did not set of a pattern across India. So we could isolate the incident, identify the reasons and prevent recurrence. And we have managed that to a Here we see a pattern that is more studied.
• Denial among the community is also high. First some “people” claimed it was not Islamists because it was against Islam. Next because its justified for revenge. That is a twisted logic that is beyond me. If they wanted revenge they could have targeted the accused that got away. Why bomb public places and kill innocents in the name of Jihad. Now imagine that RSS starts taking its revenge and starts bombing public places.
• Why did they not decide to take revenge from Pakistan for attacking India in Kargil/ sponsoring terrorism, why did they not decide to take revenge for the Bangladeshis killed in 1971, why not fight for the rights of poor people. Why did they not bother to support the numerous NGOs engaged in rehad. Were any of their friends/relatives every killed in those riots. Next they may justify to bomb India because of the nuclear deal with US.
• Needless to mention I also quoted a blogger (who claims to be an Indian) who hates the Indian army because its Hindu. Either it’s a sure case of serious mental delusion or it’s a VHP/RSS guy trying to mislead. Such crackpots are not fit to live in a civilized society and they cite the Sachar commission as evidence of discrimination. Deny the hand of friendship, refuse opportunity, claim past glory and allege discrimination. It’s a vicious self delusion.
Sudie,
When anybody’s memories are more than their dreams, it shows that they are living in the past, and that is the beginning of the end.
Every community in India has to dream big. This does not mean that they have to be big time dreamers, which is a different statement altogether. People like us on this forum have to actively be the catalysts of change. Let us pracice everyday in the outside world the sentiments we are typing in cyberspace.
I could not agree more Milind. I work in the US now (and have all plans to return…I’m not much of an NRI) and I admire this country in the way it accepts diversity (not tolerates like in India), is objective in its arguments and more or less keeps its politicians in check. US has seen some exceptional leadership at times but its a lot about the average person on the street also who were vigilant, work hard and take pride in their country. More or less all the terror attacks in the US were external and less home grown. Many people can say many things about the US but I believe that more people hate US out of envy than any genuine displeasure.
Mahesh T,
As usual, you’ve assumed the worst in Muslims. We made it clear a 1000x that we were QUESTIONING the police account, since we detected various LOOPHOLES in it that still need to be ACCOUNTED for. The residents of Jamia Nagar never claimed that the accused were innocent; they demanded a IMPARTIAL INQUIRY by a special JUDICIAL BENCH into the circumstances of the ‘encounter’. Over a DOZEN bullets in the head of a 17 year old is serious business. Critical self-examination is only possible if they engage in dialog with us and provide us PROOF of the accused’s guilt.
InshaAllah, we will be the most effective force in ensuring that such people never find a safe place among us again. But like I said before, to get our support, you need to talk to us first.
India Today’s story is in real poor taste. Responsible journalism is not about sensationalizing things; it’s about raising the right questions and laying the foundations for solutions to problems. In effect, it’s just one man’s word who has access to the front pages of a leading magazine.
K,
I understand your angst. However, it is not easy to change things overnight. Unfortunately, the printed word has a lot of power.
Ayatollah Khomeini would prepare breakfast for his wife HIMSELF, fetch her tea, and even be VERY CAREFUL about closing the door softly behind him so that she would not be disturbed. About women, he said “The women of Iran are in the vamguard of the Islamic Revolution. The nation belongs to them”
On such a person, the media caste aspersions of treating women as chattels and utterly subjugating them.
Such is the power of the printed word that an eminent philosopher like him was made out to be a demon. This is just one example.
And K The police does have done the right thing at least you know for now. The journalists interview does prove it. Bringing out truth might be in bad taste for you but at least it should rest in your mind that these guys were indeed GUILTY.
”InshaAllah, we will be the most effective force in ensuring that such people never find a safe place among us”
Frankly I don’t believe this because for this to happen you have to come out of denial mode. I have seen this abject denial when i came out of kashmir. This abject denial in many similar cases. And your reply is still a denial. So there is no question of trust. Is there?
Milind
You might want to be careful. People will have opinions of Ayatollah Khomeini based on his Salman Rushdie episode. That got him instant notoriety globally. How he conducted his personal life is his business. It’s the public domain that may be in question. Even Modi has been painted a Devil by the Media. Also look at the way the Tata’s have responded to him. Will you be willing to listen to the version of his supporters?
K, I’m not sure. Why should your support be conditional? You are as much victims of this as anybody. Did the police seek the “Hindu” support that they should seek “Muslim” support? Yes, you may want the process to be far more professional. That’s very legitimate. That’s a demand of every Indian citizen. Speak up if you want to, weed out the anti-social elements if you are able to.
We all want the right culprits to be arrested. If you want a change, be a part of the change. Join the cops, assist them. Perhaps become a cop yourself!
If you think its a “Muslim” issue then the Mumbai Police Commissioner is a Muslim and is involved in the investigation. Let’s see how this plays out. An independent judicial system may be of satisfaction based on the “findings”. We have a SC ruling on Afzal Guru also and many of us do not like the manner it was executed.
K, if Tehelka or India Today would have exposed some Hindu miscreant you would have appreciated the same journalist. It would have been a man’s word. Exposing these terrorists is still not a man’s word. There is why I lack trust in everything you say. You are not happy with the journalist because your denial is being challenged.
I would have very much liked everything to go in court even before the Muslims elite started challenging the police. And why can’t a 17 year old be a terrorist? You yourself maligned the police, jumped to conclusions believed from the very go this is a conspiracy so why uncomfortable when more dirty truths in the same way will come out.
What these guys have done and are speaking is in no way different to what people who did in London or New york say. Alas even those are denied incidents.
Sudie,
You misunderstood me. I was speaking as a resident of Jamia Nagar, not as a Muslim. It IS unprofessional on part of the police to not take the residents of surrounding areas into confidence while attempting to strike at the den of terrorists. I’m really not into arguing and stuff. I’m just going to say this, you can accept it or reject it as per your wish: Most Muslims wouldn’t be in denial had the police been professional about the entire thing: pre and post-encounter. Their refusal to engage in dialog with the people of Jamia Nagar has only worsened the situation.
I live here, and I assure you that most of the residents here are peace-loving people. If the police provides us proof and engages our concerns, it will help reinstate our faith in the authorities and facilitate whole-hearted support for them and their operations.
Mahesh T,
Nothing I do or say is going to change your opinion. That’s what bias does to you. I have nothing to prove to you. Your views are your own concern. Have a good day.
@ Sudie,
I am talking about the general comments that are made about Ayatollah Khomeini with respect to what he had to say about women.
As for Salman Rushdie, the best course to take would have been to take the publishing of his book as a non event. People who have read the book tell me that the literary quality of it is pathetic, and that it sold only on account of the negative publicity!!
Islam is too lofty and sublime for the likes of Rushdie to even scratch its surface.
K
You are asking for the moon. Do you think the way the police works in India, they will take any one into confidence? Apart from the obvious pitfalls of a leak and reactionary forces creating further problems, the police in our country is just not equipped to be a people force. The crime is far high and the police and paramilitary is far lesser in number.
What can happen is that we remain more vigilant ourselves. We should keep an eye out for young people who are becoming radical – applies to Hindu as well as Muslim. Ensure that new tenants are screened before they come in and illegal activities are reduced. Most importantly we should not allow the corrupt politicians to divide us.
- Form Citizen watch committees and be proactive in reaching out to the authorities. Do not wait for them to reach out
- Become the ears and eyes of the authority so that you build a natural trust
- Encourage the Youth in Jamia to join the Delhi Police.
Police is under a lot of pressure to produce results. And politicians are quick to exploit the sentiments. Its a difficult political battle.
Just imagine the stories that circulate about people hoisting Pakistani flags in minority areas. Now there are stories of that coming from Assam!…Just imagine the ridiculousness and stupidity of any minority doing that. Its a deliberate attempt to create tensions – could even be planted. If the community leaders can keep a watch out for such miscreants these will not happen.
And lets be fair. Its a terrible thing when a family comes to know that their son may be involved. Disbelieve leads to denial to justification. Community needs to introspect once to see why this is happening. Its easy for a passionate youth to get misled by a desire to do something heroic. The need is that this passion should be directed in a positive than negative sentiment.
K, My Biases may have become a little too hard but what I see around has a lot of hand in it.
Anyways, I do believe that Muslims in general are very good people. Almost 90-99% of them are peace living and progressive. The 1% misguided ones often do these mistakes and the other 99% really can’t believe that it must have happened.
However living in denial is primarily responsible for Muslims themselves having become a victim of terror. On one hand they might be living in fear because of unknown and created imaginary perceptions, on the other hand defence of people who are proved guilty later will also show they are not trustable.
Here is an article by Muqtedar Khan in Washington post where he classified Muslims into 3 types.
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2008/09/celebrating_ramadan_jihadi_sty.html
Enough is enough i as an Indian feel the regret for a fellow Indian who was killed in the encounter. I would not like to disown him and i would not like a community i.e. Muslims to Own him because he is a Muslim. A young person was killed whether he was a terrorist or not i would let the courts decide and get on with my work.
As a citizen my duty is just not to argue about minority and majority view about terrorism my duty is to the nation and its progress and in my limits i would do anything to achieve my goal as a citizen.
People hardly care these days what happening near them. the concern for each others well being, the concern for the fellow human being and the concern and care to the society is lost. We think and talk as representatives of majority or minority. We are INDIANS. and if you are not proud of it take yourself out of the country. An indian has has no religion.
religion is no basis of formation of group or humans, thoughts and wishes….Its a way to help your reach God and understand his will. Live Life like a Indian and if some one around has lost his way correct him and some one around among us wants to destroy India Kill him irrespective of the religion.
India is first. hindus or musilims are irrelevant words