Of killings, mistakes and probes

Manzoor was killed; Colonel Brar says it was a mistake and he is sorry for it. How pathetic!

Mudasir Majeed Peer

A day after the visit of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to review the security scenario in valley, a tragic incident took place in Handwara: Manzoor Ahmad Magray, a student was killed by army in Chogal, Handwara.

Taking into account the statement given by the Union Home minister P Chidambaram, the incident at Handwara is a major blow.
Despite several claims by the Union home ministry that situation has improved in valley, we only witness killings and mayhem unfolding on the streets of Kashmir. Before the killing of Manzoor, we witnessed the death of two sisters in Sopore. However the state security agencies were quick to point their fingers at militants groups and blaming them for the killings.
The graph of civilian deaths is increasing day by day. Deaths are occurring at brisk pace. The most disappointing has been the response from the state as well as New Delhi on the issues related to human rights violations in state. They condemn killings, order the ‘magisterial probes’ and promise the justice to be done with the victims but alas! They only say but never act. This non-serious approach on part of the state and New Delhi has always cost them dearly.
I remember Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while speaking to a gathering in Mawar Handwara a year ago when a 70 year old beggar was killed by security forces stressed on the point that human rights violations were unacceptable. He said, “Human rights violations are not acceptable to us”.
But unfortunately human rights violations continue unabatedly at the hands of security personnel. Ministers and top brass of security only feel bad on the killings which occur at the hands of security forces. They condemn the killings and sympathise with the victimized families, later on they forget them.
Manzoor was killed but his death has not moved any official. Colonel Brar says it was a mistake and he is sorry for it. How pathetic? A family lost its son and Colonel Brar is sorry! What he calls a mistake is a tragedy and calamity for a family, this ‘mistake’ snatched away a bud that is yet to blossom. How many more mistakes will they commit: killing a 70 year old beggar, Machil fake encounter, and now Manzoor and the process is on...
We know what fate magisterial probes have met in past. The state officials think that by ordering magisterial probes into the killings which occur at the hands of security forces is justice for the family of the victim. The probes they order do nothing but add salt to their injuries. Wamiq Farooq and Zahid Farooq are the cases in point.
The security forces enjoyed unbridle powers under AFSPA. The law instead of prosecuting them gives them (security forces) easy ways to escape.
It was heart rending to read about the distraught family of Zahid Farooq, a teenager, who was killed by BSF last year. The tears of Zahid’s mother have dried up. She weeps day in and night out. Zahid’s two sisters, Farhat and Aqsa are traumatized. Farhat is suffering from depression after the death of her brother. Zahid’s four year old sister Aqsa has her brother’s name on her tongue all day long.
However his father hasn’t given up. He says he will go to Supreme Court but will fight against those who have killed to his son.
Manzoor’s death is a loss to his family. His parents are mourning, so are his sisters and relatives. His mother is wailing like any other mother of Kashmir who has lost her son. She will have to live a traumatic life now onwards.
Author is a student of MCMP Govt Degree College, Baramulla and hails from Kupwara district. He can be mailed at pir.mudasir@gmail.com.