The making of “ISI agents”: Sad story of poor Muslims

By Md. Ali and Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,

New Delhi/Assam: Meet Md. Hanif, an “ISI agent,” from Khajuri area of New Delhi. According to Assam police he is an ISI agent, although this hasn’t yet been proved in the court in Assam because there is no witness, nor is there any evidence against him; but in the eyes of the police he has all the qualities which make him an easy scapegoat to be implicated: poor, defenseless, vulnerable with relatives in Pakistan whom he had visited once, on top of that an Indian Muslim, a deadly combination indeed.

What had happened?

The story of Md. Hanif is the story of an innocent person being falsely implicated in a terror case, then systematic harassment of the poor man who can’t even afford a lawyer. Life of Md. Hanif, s/o Babu Khan, a resident of Jewar in Noida district of Utter Pradesh, used to be all right until the night of July 13th 2005, when he was picked up by the UP police and was brutally tortured for an entire week. He was told that he was an “ISI agent” who was involved in taking out some “sensitive” documents from the Army Camp, Tezpur, Assam to hand them over to Pakistani intelligence officers based in New Delhi.

Hanif broke down talking about his torture

Hanif broke down while talking to TwoCircles.net about the week-long brutal torture in police custody which involved some “third degree” methods of torture also. “I still feel pain in my both legs because they used to torture me like animals,” Hanif said.

He told TCN that after the torture, the senior police officers of UP police who were interrogating him asked their junior officers to leave Hanif as he was not the person they were looking for. But the junior officers asked Hanif to “name some rich Muslims” whom the police could arrest on the pretext of being a terrorist and extract money from them, something which poor Hanif refused to do because he didn’t know any rich Muslim and also because of the fact that it would have been “wrong.”

The refusal on Hanif’s part to obey the junior police officers made them furious and they reportedly sent his name as one of the accused in the case which originally belonged to Assam. The main accused in the case is Hanif’s namesake, Md. Hanif Khan who was in 2005 serving in the Indian Army in Tezpur division.

For around six months the innocent Hanif flurried between jails in Assam and Tihar jail in New Delhi. It was only after six months, in November 2005, after paying huge money, this poor tailor managed to get bail.

Md. Hanif with his family

Story of extreme poverty and trauma

But Hanif’s problem had just started after his release on bail. He and his family literally came on road because Hanif’s father had to sell his house to save his son and get a bail for him. Besides the extreme poverty, the charge of being a terrorist by the society and the mental torture added his trauma. At present Hanif is living the life of anonymity because he doesn’t get a room on rent if people come to know that he is being tried in a “terror’ case.

When TCN visited Hanif’s small house which had just one room with barely enough space for five people – he, his wife Farida and three daughters – he was quite scared that his room owner might come to know about this terror case and ask his family to leave. He has already been asked to vacate the houses where his family used to stay by his four room owners in earlier occasions.

Needs financial and legal help

At present stage, he is in an urgent need of financial and legal help for his case which is currently going on in the sessions court in Assam. His lawyer left his case because Hanif was unable to pay the minimum amount of 500 Rs. per hearing. P Kotoki, the “kind” lawyer who knows about Hanif’s case, told TCN that ‘the case is very weak against Hanif and there is hardly any evidence and witness against him.’

He suggested Hanif to write a letter to the chief justice of the Assam High Court for his case to be expedited.

The long delays in this case as the case is pending since last 5 years has financially overstretched Hanif and he is under huge debt because every month he has to go to Assam which involves at least Rs 2-3 thousand of expenses as he pointed out. Hanif hasn’t got justice yet but just “dates after dates”; sometimes he has to go to Assam twice a month. Interestingly, out of 8 accused in his case, 4 managed to get free with the help of bribe in the lower court, he alleged.

L-R: Hanif's wife, Farida with daughters Ayesha in her lap and Sana and Fatma

Because of the above mentioned situation Hanif is going through depression and has attempted suicide in the past, informed Farida, Hanif’s wife. Talking about her tribulations because of the case, she said that at present her daughters don’t go to school because she doesn’t have money to pay for their fees.

“Will we go to school, mother?” asked Fatma when she heard her mother talking some thing related to school. Fatma’s twinkling eyes were in stark contrast to Hanif’s hopeless gaze towards his daughter.

In the case of Hanif, Senior Supreme Court lawyer, Prashant Bhushan sees a pattern. Hanif’s case is “not new, there must be hundreds of cases like this where poor, innocent and defenseless Muslims are falsely implicated in terror cases and remain in jail without any trial for years,” Bhushan told TCN.

He finds, “communalization of Indian police and intelligence agencies,” the reason behind this kind of disturbing pattern. According Bhushan, “the only possible solution to deal with these cases is constitution of high powered panel empowered to withdraw terror charges.” He also advocates punishment to the concerned police officers in case any alleged terror suspect is found to be innocent.

Narratives of D-voters in Assam

Submitted by admin4 on 3 January 2011 - 4:15pm

• Indian Muslim

By Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,

Guwahati: Anath Bandhu Biswas, son of Late Kishori Mohan Biswas and a resident of village Borpayek II, Nellie, Assam, served the Home Ministry as CRPF jawan from 1975 to 1997. He took voluntary retirement to be with his family. ‘I was a government employee but now a Doubtful voter [or D-voter] since 1996. I am originally from Tripura. In 1983, during the Nellie massacre, I was posted here in Nellie. I liked the place and got married here and started living here. I have cast vote before 1996. I have one son and one daughter and they are not D-voters,’ says 52-year-old Anath Biswas. His wife, Arati Biswas is also a D-voter. She said: ‘My father Narayan Mondol was a carpenter. I was born and brought up here and I don’t know why I am a D-voter’.

Many D-Voters or doubtful voters informed that in Assam, the voter list enumerated D-Voters in 1996. D-voters are those people whose citizenship is not confirmed or they are suspected as illegal migrants and hence ‘doubtful’.

Sirajuddin Ahmed and his wife Razia Begum

Rastam Ali of Borpayek II village, Nellie, Assam, is 45 years old now and a small trader by profession. His father Kalam Shah Ahmed was a cultivator and an inhabitant of the same village. Rastam’s grandfather was Hindu by religion who later converted to Islam. Rastam has four brothers and all are married. Rastam was a voter before 1996 and exercised his voting rights twice. In 1996, Rastam became D-voter. Rastam said, ‘My grandfather Moina Shiekh, whose Hindu name was Moina, was a famous Hindu priest before converting to Islam. We lived here since time immemorial. But today my citizenship is ‘doubtful’. All my brothers, family members are regular voters, but I am listed as ‘doubtful voter’. I didn’t complain anywhere. Whom to complain? No hearing took place before declaring me as D-voter. Many people are D-voters today’, lamented Rastam.

Sirajuddin Ahmed and his wife Razia Begum are both D-voters and shared a unique story. They belong to the same village of Borpayek II, Nellie, Assam. Sirajuddin is the son of late Hasmat Ali who lived in the same village and was a village leader. “My father was the government appointed Gaon Burah (village headman) during the British period. He was a much respected person. Today my younger brother Anzak Ali is the village headman. But I am ‘doubtful’ and a D-voter. I heard that we have to appear before tribunal but I won’t attend. To save my self-respect, I won’t go. I am citizen by birth. Why shall I go and proof that? It is humiliating. Citizens are treated as denizens in the name of D-voter’.

For Razia Begum, too, the story is same. ‘My father Hazi Sabdar Munshi of Kamrup, the then Nagaon district, was an employee of the British government. He worked in the Nagaon Judge court as a Juri member. He is the one who was responsible for settlement of this area. Today I am a D-voter since 1996. Before 1996, I cast vote many times. My brothers, sisters and my children are not D-voters but I am’.

Shambhi Mollik, son of Late Kalidas Mollik, 55 years of age belonging to the Nellie village is a carpenter by profession. He became D-voter in 1996. Though he was not so lucky to remove the doubtful status of his voting rights, his family member Kalpana Mollik was the lucky one to get back her status as a legal voter. Kalpana was a D-voter since 1996 but in 2008, she could correct her status and it cost her about four thousand rupees. ‘I wanted to contest Panchayat election and it was necessary for me to remove my name from the list of the D-Voters but it cost me money’.

Anath Bandhu Biswas and his wife Arati Biswas

Subodh Debnath of the Nellie too lost his voting rights as he became a D-voter in 1996. ‘I am 45 years old and I am a trader of biscuits by profession. I voted many times but now I am a D-voter. Three members of my family are D-voters – I, my wife Nelam Debnath and my brother Bijoy Debnath.

Similar stories are shared by Kamala Badya and Gauri Rani Das, two females of Nellie village. Kamala is 40 years of age and cast vote about five times before being ‘identified ‘as a D-voter. Gauri Rani Das who showed her school certificates and was born and brought up in the same village is now a D-Voter.

D-voter families informed that mostly Bengali speaking Hindus, Muslims and some Nepalis are listed as D-voters. One D-voter found the whole issues of D-voters so hilarious that he commented, ‘government is losing our precious votes by putting our names in the list of D-voters. We are losing nothing’.

Foreigners can now visit Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland without permit

By Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,

Guwahati: The Central Government has excluded states of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland from Protected Area for Foreigners regime notified under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958, initially for a period of one year. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs announced the government decision in a press statement on 31st December-2010.

However, all foreigners visiting these States will have to register themselves with the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the District they visit within 24 hours of their arrival. Citizens of some specified countries would, however, continue to require prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs before their visit to these three States, the release said.

The press release also mentioned that the Indian Missions/Posts have also been authorized to issue ‘Missionary Visa’ to foreign Missionaries visiting these three States as per the extant guidelines of the Government. This decision has come into force with effect from 1st of January, 2011.

Dr. Musahid Ahmed: A scientist from Assam bagging honors in US

By Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,

Dr. Musahid Ahmed is a scientist hailing from Assam and is presently working as a senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, California, USA. Recently he has been elected as a fellow to the American Physical Society for his outstanding contribution to Physics.

Dr. Ahmed is in USA since 1995 and his research encompasses fundamental studies which are relevant to energy and environmental processes. With his research Dr. Ahmed achieved accolades in USA. “I never dreamt to be a scientist, but since my childhood I was curious in nature. I would ask hundreds of questions to my parents about why things break and how things are fixed,” recollects Dr. Musahid Ahmed who believes that he is an experimental scientist and for last five years he has been enjoying the privilege of doing what interests him.

Dr. Musahid Ahmed

Born in Assam’s Digboi city that is famous for oil refinery, Dr. Amed spent his childhood in the towns like Duliajan, Nahorkatiya and Moran of Assam. He did his schooling in Scindia school in Gwalior. Later he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Delhi University in the year 1985 and the same year he joined for Ph.D. programme in Cambridge University in UK and obtained Ph.D. in 1989. He completed his post doctoral degree from University of Leicester and Manchester in UK and Max Planck Institute in Gottingen, Germany.

Dr. Ahmed is a hardworking scientist who works about 100 hours a week. He believes that nothing comes easily. “A scientist needs perseverance and the ability to accept both failure and success. The job of a scientist is not like that of a doctor or engineer,” said Dr. Ahmed.

Dr. Ahmed is also member of American Chemical Society, American Physical Society and American Association of Advancement of Science and in 2010 he has been elected as fellow to the American Physical Society. His citation which appeared in his fellowship certificate reads: “for his creation of a world class synchrotron chemical dynamics facility serving the community and his unique marriage of lasers with synchrotron science, used to study small molecules spectroscopy and energetic, biological imaging, combustion, nanoparticle reactivity and chemical dynamics.” His fellowship citation will be published in the March 2011 issue of APC News.

Dr. Ahmed believes that Northeast India has already a traditional knowledge system and more systematic research is required. Assam has lots of potentials in natural resources. He suggested: “Research should be critical and analytical and must process information aiming at fundamental research. Research and education system need to be professional and lots of hard work and dedication is must for success in scientific research.” He wished that Guwahati IIT can play a role in the upliftment of research quality in Assam and northeastern states.

Extraordinary stories of ordinary women

TCN Special Series: Part 1 on Nazma Phumdreimeiyum

By Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,

Nazma Phumdreimeiyum is the founder of Organisation for Development (OFD), a group working on the issues of violence against women and women empowerment in Santhal Namung Leikai, Thoubal district of Manipur. She has been working on women’s rights since 2001 and this passion became her profession in 2003. Nazma, a courageous and outspoken lady, shares the challenges she faces everyday for her work.

What are you interests?
I am interested to work on the issues of violence against women, child rights. The economic development of women and proper education for children are my main focus. I started dealing with the cases of domestic violence directly since 2003.

What kinds of cases you deal with?
Different kinds of issues come in from time to time. Mostly, cases of survivors of sexual assault, dowry, and domestic violence come in.

You are working for a long time on this issue. What are the challenges you are facing both personally and professionally?
For me working on the issues of women is challenging both personally and professionally. The mindset of Muslim community in Thoubal district is very conservative and religious fanatics imposed dictum on women often and controls women’s social behavior. When I started working people looked at me differently as someone who has challenged the society and branded my work as something against the society and order. My perspective didn’t match with the so called elites and leaders of the society. They also presumed that I am earning money through elicit means. I was branded as someone who doesn’t respect her husband or obey his ‘commands’ which is considered as duty for the women in my society. The local religious community, the Maulavis thought that I will become more popular than them and they saw my work and prosperity in the professional field as a challenge. They started imposing dictum on me. They said that when I take up cases since I am a woman I should talk to man in the courtyard or meet police in the police station or lawyers in their chambers. They said that my work will destroy the society and its norms.

How did you face these challenges?
Maulavis mobilized villagers and had meeting to boycott me and throw away me from the village or at least impose restriction on my mobility. In 2007, I formed a Self Help Group (SHG) to help women to stand at their feet. The SHG started making detergent powders, pickles, soap etc. and we were doing well. Maulavis instigated the villagers against me arguing that my work in anti Islamic and I take interests. I was asked to resign from the SHG and also asked the husbands of other SHG members to force their wives to resign from the group. I was afraid as if there is no member would mean automatic closure of the group. Then we decided to have meeting every Friday and discussed among ourselves. We struggled for three months. I had to complain to police too. Police helped me. Police informed the miscreants that they will send police commandos if I am bothered further. I was afraid of repercussions. I decided to know if Islam permits women to work or not. If Islam permits then I will work, otherwise I will stop working altogether. I did this as my mobility was criticized and restricted. It became problematic for me to do small things like buying something for the shop or fetching water. I complained to police as it was unbearable to me. I also consulted some good NGOs that extended solidarity with me. These are All Manipur Students Union, United Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation etc. The Maulavis made false allegations against me and collected signature from the villagers. I protested and asked them to remove the false words. They also called a meeting in the mosque and caused spilt in the community over my issue. All Manipur Jamiat e Ulema, a religious body in Manipur was informed about these developments and called me and the Maulavis for a hearing. I attended and the Maulavis too attended the hearing. I informed the Ulema that the SHG is for women’s financial independence and not for earning interests. I produced all the documents in my support. The Ulema personnels rebuked the Maulavis and asked them not to disturb me in future for my work. The hearing continued for four hours. I was allowed to continue my work. The conflict was clear and a declaration was done that women can work. Right now I have no problem but the Maulavis fear that I may become a big leader in future.

Do you work only for your community or for others too?
Right now my work is not confined only to my community but I work for all.

What type of work are you concentrating now?
I constructed a shelter home for female survivors of violence. I took donations from various sources and also accepted rice as donation. I have a three room shelter home with basic amenities.

How do you manage the shelter home?
It’s again very challenging as I don’t have continuous source of funding. Earlier I got support from Centre for Social Development but it stopped now. I managed with my own savings. People also give food and other help. Sometime I do counseling for victims and if the victim is rich I get some money. I use such earning to recharge my cell phone. I am also getting help from Integrated Rural Social Development Organisation (IRDSO), a NGO. My children are growing up and I need to think seriously now. My SHG group too now started silk warm rearing. Hope this will help with some money. Also few men are supporting our SHG.

What about your family? Do they cooperate with you in your work?
My husband Ayub Khan is a cultivator and a small trader of fish. I have two sons and three daughters. My parents help me a lot. My brothers are doctors and lawyers. They support me both morally and financially. In 2007, my husband use to beat me a lot because of my work. My family too confronted with my husband. He didn’t allow me to travel to other states to attend workshop. Once he took money from the organizers for my participation in a conference in Mizoram. I challenged my husband. Now he has changed a lot and supports me. My children are young and studying in schools.

(Nazma Phumdreimeiyum is reachable at Organisation for Development, Santhal Namang Leikai, Thoubal district, Manipur, India. Phone: +91-9856326838)

http://twocircles.net/2010nov27/extraordinary_stories_ordinary_women.html