Action needed in Shopian Case

Action needed in Shopian case

Almost one month has passed after the gruesome episode of Shopian took place. Yet nothing has come out of the much hyped Mr. Jan’s Commission except negligent lower level officers / officials were pin-pointed in the interim report. Mr. Omar Abdullah’s highly praised impartial commission has not yet reported anything about the culprits who were involved in this inhuman and heartrending act. From the first day people have been suspicious about the handling of this case and most of us believe that Government is buying time to just let the issue die of its own. Firstly the state of denial by the Chief Minister even about the happening of the act, then non-lodging of relevant FIR until people did not took it upon themselves and finally distortion and mishandling of truth by the Government Officers like Police and Civil Administration of Shopian, Doctors of Shopian Hospital, Forsenic staff of Medical College and even pre-emption of results by one of most known credible Government Officer, Mr. Masood Samoon, the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir and the Chief Minister put strength to this argument.

State Government on one side is claiming that it will not hide guilty and will punish perpetrators of dastardly committed act but contrary to that what is happening, people are being killed and injured by spraying bullets upon them in Shopian and Baramulla Districts. Imposing unannounced curfews, barging of forces into the houses of the residents and merciless beating of people of all ages and gender has become a routine. These berserk acts of Government show that they are in no mode to address the simple issue of catch holding of criminals but are trying to suppress the heart burning by way of state sponsored terrorism.

Not being satisfied with all these things the only courageous daughter of soil has been victimized by the Government for speaking out truth. Dr. Nighat has been placed under suspension among other negligent Doctors in the Shopian rape and killing of two innocent girls. This once again proves the non-seriousness of the Government to tackle this case. It is not understood why she has been targeted though reportedly she was not among those doctors who conducted autopsy at Shopian Hospital but yes, she being a Gynecologist confirmed the sins committed which Government in most probable terms wished to hide. Speaking of truth in such cases has become a sin. She, being a lady, dared to speak out what none of our natives from civil administration, Police, Doctors and Forensic Staff of Medical College could do.

The action taken against the erring officials is a welcome step but to punish a lady who stood upon the truth and bored all unknown pressures is beyond comprehension of all and sundry. Besides, who were the people who pressured all these people to hide the fact need to be unmasked. It is yet to be seen these hidden hands otherwise it is not possible for a human being to hide such gruesome acts against humanity.

It seems Government is relying upon false hopes and is not gauging the pain under which people are reeling due to this inhuman act. Due to inaction of Government, the people of Shopian under aegis of Majlis has given a programme from this week by way of region wise of strikes and have threatened to go for more agitation if Government does not act.

We demand that Government should come straight, catch hold all those elements who perpetrated this crime, unmask who behind the scene pressurized the Government Officials from coming up with true version, rein the forces from committing atrocities on the people of Kashmir in general and the people from Shopian / Sopore in particular and re-instate Dr. Nighat without any more delay. Remember people cannot be held hostage by making announcement for roads and bridges, we need strong and clear action in the case of honor and dignity. Government should act now otherwise as rightly said by the poet in a different perspective;

Na samjho ge to mit jawo ge Hindustan walo,
Tumhare dastan tak na hogi dastano mein

Hope the man on the helm of affairs will take cue.


By Hamid Nilnagi