In 2011, when the full-fledged Panchayat elections were held after a gap of several decades many thought that grassroots’ governance has been restored in Jammu& Kashmir. This thought was witnessed after huge number of people turned out to participate in Panchayat elections. More than one year down the line everything has vanished in thin air. The killings of sarpanches have somewhere posed a serious question on the credibility of the state government, while on other side the question whether the victims were killed by some militant organisation or they became victim of political rivalry, is still hanging in air. A ground visit of “The Kashmir Scenario” team to North and South Kashmir reveals this gloomy veracity.
North Kashmir–Rameez Makhdoomi & Shahzad Hussain Hamdani
As we enter the Nowpora, Sangrama in North Kashmir were recently Deputy Sarpanch Mohammad Shafi Teli was shot dead a pale of gloom and silence welcomes the visitor.
During an exclusive interaction with ‘The Kashmir Scenario’; Bashir Ahmed Teli, cousin brother of the deceased revealed,“The deceased was nominated by the locals of the village and he won the Panchayat election on the basis of the fair support of the masses of the village. The deceased was not affiliated to any political party but was a favourite among the people of the village. Being a person of honest and social character he was the best choice among all of us to be nominated for the post of Sarpanch. Even today I cannot forget the fateful night. We were going to offer evening prayers and the deceased had already left for the mosque. Meanwhile I heard some gunshots, desperately I ran out of my house and saw the deceased lying in a pool of blood just outside the mosque; He was shot down by unknown men. ”
On being asked about the co-operation of the state government and facilities provided to the deceased to work for the village; cousin of the deceased said,” There was no co-operation from the government side. The only support the deceased had was of his own village people. Even before the brutal incident, the deceased was not in any kind of tension or threat, nor thereany kind of threat from any organisation. So the death was a sudden blow in our minds which spread a wide fear among the minds of every person and now no one attempts to venture out of their homes. Till date the police is still investigating the matter and we are waiting for an outcome. I personally feel that the state government failed in providing security to the elected sarpanches, had some security being provided to them, I wouldn’t have lost my brother. The government has completely failed; even the administrative officers like D.C or tehsildar play a very negative role. Finally I would say that this death has given a great setback to our family and particularly to our village and i don’t hope that in future there will be any participation of the people in elections. Government has talked of providing relief to the family and we hope that it would be implemented pragmatically”
Pertinently, the element of human pain is much heavier as the younger daughter of Mohammad Shafi teli who is four years older thinks her deceased father is in Jammu.
Many in Nowpora had mistook the shots fired at Mohammad Shafi Teli as firecrackers burst in response to victory of Pakistan over New Zealand in world cup t20 on that day.
The Kashmir scenario team then made their travel to Wagoora a village of the North Kashmir about 3 kilometres away from Nowpora to interact with an elected panch namely Parveiz lone who recently resigned after the brutal killing of the Sarpanch. On being askedabout the impact of the death of the Sarpanch in the Sangrama village, Parveiz said, “Almost all the Panchayats elected members haveresigned after the brutal killing. The killing has somewhere exposed the inability of the state government to provide security to the sarpanches. Now I am working like I always do in my orchids and I don’t think that I will stand again in elections.”
Another veracity emanating from ground is that after the killing of Mohammad Shafi Teli in the Sangrama belt more than 50 percent of Panchayat representatives of the area have fled native villages to escape attacks.
South Kashmir–Kaiser A Mir
As soon as we enter South Kashmir, pain and determination welcomes us. Gulzar Ahmad Dar, Sarpanch from Akbarabad Howura, District Kulgam of South Kashmir was shot dead on 9th Feb. 2012. He is survived by two daughters and a son. GulzarAhmadwas also looking after his brother`s family because he was often outside valley. Hence with the death of Gulzar Ahmad both the families lost their head-guardian. He had contested election from NC party and emerged victorious.
The family emphatically narrates pain to us. Shahzad Ahmad Victim`s nephew said, “Our whole family was shocked with this incident. My Uncle participated in the Panchayat election for the welfare of people and development of this area. But we never thought he would have to face such brutality”. When asked about the people behind killing of Gulzar Dar, slain Sarpanch, Shahzad replied, “We can`t say anything about it, but we doubt there may be some political elements behind all this We are waiting still for justice”.
While commenting on support from government Shahzad said, “Government has given employment to his lone son. Besides, Law and Parlimentary affairs, Ali Mohd. Sagar gave rupees 1 lakh to the family”.
It is pertinent to mention here Police has arrested three local boys- Rameez Ah. Dar, Younis Ah.Lone and Dawood Ah.Ahangar in connection with murder case. All three were booked under PSA and are still in custody. However, according to victim’s family and residents of Akbarabad these three persons were present during funeral. “The boys arrested by police are innocent. They were present here during the last rituals. It is a hand work of political terrorists”, said Shakeel Ahmad a local resident.
Abdul Salam Deputy Sarpanch, now In-charge panch said, “We took part in Panchayat election just for our people. Gulzar Ahmad was a pious soul; he sacrificed himself for the people. I don`t know who killed him and we had never thought about such grave outcome. Some offenders had put posters in our area and demanded us to resign. But I want to tell those people that we will not surrender and will continue to work for our people”.
Talking about the demands of Panchayat Ab. Salam said, “Panchayat election were good but government did not full-fill its promise. We do not need any security from the government, now atmosphere is good here and we have no fear. Panchayat should be given more powers and there should be a well-defined path for empowerment of Panchayat.”
“We were in home and he was fired near main entrance at 8.00 pm. We are poor and have no enmity with anybody. We were often harassed by the rogue political elements. They used to pelt stone on our house and ultimately killed him. We had complained about stone pelting but no action was taken against those miscreants”. Naseemabano sister-in-law of Gulzar Ahmad told Kashmir Scenario.
She further added, “Although Ministers like Ali Mohammad Sagar, NasirAslamWani and other personalities from National Conference came here for condolence. But the local MLA who belongs to PDP never visited us”.
Although nobody is sure about the killers of Gulzar Ahmad, but some people including victims’ family member allege involvement of PDP in the murder.
While talking to MLA Homeshalibugh constituency of Kulgam District, Abdul Gaffar Sofi said “I condemn such inhuman acts especially the killing of democratic voice. I couldn`t visit the killed sarpanch`s family because I was outside valley at that time. But unfortunately some opportunists want to gain personal goals even using dead bodies. Police has taken action against the culprits, but some innocents were also harassed by police, that I opposed and some people took advantage of situation and started nefarious propaganda against me and my party.”
In the South Kashmir’s volatile political turf as the gorge of hatred between the two political parties (NC & PDP) is becoming deep and deep every day. The ultimate wrath is a faced by the ordinary worker who is basically a common man like GulzarAhamad. While according to ground voices the ones enjoying top position in these parties are only taking advantage of this scenario.
For the time being, the power of gun has successfully muzzled the Panchayat Raj in State especially in the rural Kashmir.