[Reader-list] RTI Activists Arrested in Kashmir

[cashmeeri]

Letters to Omar Abdullah from Dr Muzaffar Bhat, Convener, J&K Right to Information Movement and Madhu Kishwar on the subject "5 RTI Activists Arrested (dacoity,loot) Kashmir"

(Received from Madhu Kishwar of MANUSHI, who received it from Dr.A.Mohamed Ajmal)
 
........... aalok aima
 
 
 
Subject: 5 RTI Activists Arrested (dacoity,loot) Kashmir

Mr Omar Abdullah Saheb
Chief Minister J&K State

Sir,Five of Our RTI Activists have been lodged in Chadoora police station of Budgam on false charges of robbery,assault etc.They were arrested today.The Police is being pressurized by the ruling local National conference leadership.We have been working on good governance and transparency in the area and this is the end result.On one hand CNN IBN confers Citizen Journalist award to our work and on the other hand we are being treated like criminals and booked under theft,robbery and other cheap cases.

Our image has been tarnished by the workers of National Conference in Charai sharief constituency.The wife of Chowdhry Saifudin Numberdar (village head man) of Branwar in Chararisharief assembly constituency went to magistrate and leveled false charges against our RTI Activists including myself and Dr Sheikh Ghulam Rasool. She says that we beat them in the house and stole gold ornaments,Rs 30,000 etc.Can any civilized person believe this?

I swear i even don't know that lady who might be of my mothers age.We were nearly killed if the Police or CRP would not have reached the spot on that fateful day ie 27th Feb 2010.

I appeal Mr Chief Minister to answer me?

RTI law is a new born baby in J&K.Less that 5% people are aware about this act.This all is happening with us who are the pioneers of RTI Movement in J&K,what can you expect with others?

RTI will be a total failure Mr CM if you would not control these disgruntled elements who do not want to see J&K a corruption free state.We have exposed some bungling in Branwar area.We are fighting against timber smuggling and we are being rewarded with such awards.We are ready to sacrifice our lives for this sacred cause but your workers cannot muzzle our voice.The people who are in Chadoora police station are common poor young boys of Branwar village.

I want an answer from you.We will otherwise protest at Jantar Mantar, India gate in the days to come and other RTI Activists of India will be supporting us for this.

Dr Muzaffar Bhat
ConvenerJ&K Right to Information Movement
Srinagar

 
From: Madhu Kishwar <editor at manushi-india.org>
Subject: [Manushi] RTI Activists Arrests -Kashmir -
To: "Omar Abdullah" <omar_abdullah at mac.com>
Cc: omar_abdullah at vsnl.com
Date: Sunday, 14 March, 2010, 11:55


To, 
The Chief Minister of J&K

Dear Mr Abdullah,

This is to express our deep concern and protest against against the arrest of 5 RTI actvists in Kashmir on trumped up criminal charges. Dr Muzafar Bhat's email detailing their predicament is given below.

There is no legislation which has created greater enthusiasm in J& K than the RTI Act. The best antidote to terrorist seccsessionist politics is responsive and accountable governance. RTI is one of the few legislations that empower citizens while most others empower Government officials to lord over citizens. 

You may recall that soon after you assumed power as Chief Minister, you had been gracious enough to seek inputs from some of us. One of the key suggestions I made at that time was that J&K should name its RTI legislation: " Duty to Provide Accurate Information Act" in order to make honest, mandatory disclosure a routine affair for all government departments. 

It is a matter of grave concern that the best of RTI activists are being hounded and punished in this way--that too soon after their group leader, Dr Muzaffar Bhat received a Citizen Journalist Award from CNN/IBN. This group is performing a vital public service by strengthening people's faith in democracy at great personal risk. By muzzling the voice of such public spirited citizens, your Government will only strengthen the nihilist forces in the state that are out to destroy Kashmir's pluralist society and its fragile democracy. 

We at Manushi urge you to release the five RTI activists unconditionally and without delay.

Yours sincerely,
Madhu Purnima Kishwar
For Manushi