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| 135 civilians, 226 militants, 6 Army officers and 68 Cops among dead | | Onslaught on Fourth Estate amid curfews and strikes | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Dec 30: The year bygone shall be remembered for a variety of reasons. For six month agitation in the Valley that left more than 114 persons dead and for official onslaught on the Fourth Estate and for broken bones and amputated limbs.
The data furnished by the state Home Department notwithstanding, the year bygone witnessed massive but a different kind of violence. Four hundred and twenty nine (429) persons got killed. The deceased include 135 civilians, 226 militants, 6 army officers and 68 police and Para-military personnel. Violence also left 6 women and several school going children dead.
Hundreds of persons sustained injuries inflicted by canes, bullets and sling shots. Around fifteen youths lost their eyes. Scores lost their limbs. Doctors at SKIMS and SMHS hospital have seen damaged body parts in scores of torture victims. "In most of the cases, there was no bullet injury. They were mercilessly beaten", they said.
However, the State Home Department compiled its yearly report on a positive note. The report says the use of grenades and IEDs registered a considerable decrease during the year bygone. Giving details, the report said: "Thirty three (33) hand grenades and 23 IED explosions caused only 5 deaths. "
Last year 82 similar explosions killed 18 persons and left 99 persons critically wounded, the report said. Pertinent to mention the Muzaffarabad based United Jehad Council (UJC) which is an amalgam of militant organizations suspended its operations during the agitation period.
The report further says that the Valley witnessed strike for 121 days till November. However, the report makes no mention of the curfews and restrictions imposed by the government. Hurriyat (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani said that the official curfew and restrictions remained in force for 100 days.
The year bygone shall also be remembered for official onslaught on the fourth estate. Journalists were beaten and humiliated, newspaper offices were sealed, and government advertisements were stopped to tame the media. In response the Valley based newspapers suspended their publication indefinitely.
Newspaper owners had to rid their organizations of `excessive staff'. Some were` kind enough' to retain 40% of the salary of the staffers, a trend that continues even now.
In Jammu three newspaper offices were sealed for publishing news circulated by the police. The papers resumed publication after judicial intervention.
A new record was created when the legislative Assembly issued breach of privilege notices against three journalists in a single session. The onslaught still continues and a leading Jammu based English daily bears the brunt. |
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