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| Vohra's sermons on enforcement of laws, justice make no sense | | Priyadarshni Mattoo seminar Probe yet to be ordered in official victimization of Early Times | | Early Times Report
srinagar, Aug 9: Governor N.N. Vohra spoke at length in the seminar-cum-award function organised by Priyadarshni Mattoo Memorial Foundation (PMMF) about effective enforcement of laws, alongside referring to maintenance of law and order by ensuring answerability of all concerned authorities at all levels.
However, what skipped though his mind was the plea of Early Times newspaper. He forgot that while national media ensured justice is done in Priyadarshni Mattoo case, here in Jammu and Kashmir, a local daily has been facing worst kind of nightmare and none is bothered about getting justice done in this case. None includes Governor N.N.Vohra who is well aware of the injustice that is being done with Early Times.
Vohra while speaking at the function, talked about need for evolving a national consensus to curb corruption and ensure honest management of affairs to deal effectively with all issues of governance. He said that nothing is beyond repair and we have to reform criminal justice system through firm political will. However, he made no mention of how state victimized a particular newspaper and left no stone unturned in muzzling its voice.
He forgot pleas of a probe into entire sordid saga of official victimization of owners of Early Times newspaper. He also spoke about the need for optimally addressing the issue of pendency of over 40 million cases before the law courts all over the country and, besides, strengthening the Police in terms of numbers, training, infrastructure and resources to effectively maintain law and order.
While delivering this thought provoking speech, Governor did not for even once quote how owners of Early Times were harassed and humiliated for no fault of theirs. He seemed to have forgotten that Early Times had on February 27, 2011 briefed him about victimization at the hands of certain government agencies. He did not take note of the fact that a detailed letter had been handed over to him, with a plea to get an inquiry conducted by any agency of his choice into all the incidents of seemingly official vengeance which Early Times has been facing since the last two years.
But, six months down the line, Early Times is yet to hear anything of that sought. Its victimization has seemingly gone unheard and culprits are still roaming out in the open. It had not asked for compensation but sought an explanation for the manner in which its voice was muzzled, its independence torn apart, its dignity tarnished and its institution damaged.
Governor stressed that there must not be any political interference in the functioning of Police but forgot that in the state, where he is Governor presently, it is the political muddle that controls police. Intense pressure is built over officers of police department to harass, humiliate and intimidate fourth pillar of democracy. Early Times informed the Governor about this aspect also but to avail.
Referring to the role played by civil society and media in highlighting Priyadarshni Mattoo case, Governor said that criminal justice system would need to be delivered in the normal course without there being agitations about the failures of the justice system. This advice seemed fitting to the discourse but not in Jammu and Kashmir where media is pulverized, bull-dozed and humiliated if does not toe the official line.
Early Times is an apt and fitting example of this official penalization. He expressed his heartfelt sympathy with Priyadarshni parents and other members of the Mattoo family but forgot that Early Times also deserved his sympathy and love.
Khawaja Farooq Renzu Shah, Director Information also sympathized with the parents of Priyadarshni. He said that the society at large has to discharge its role in prevention of crime. To the surprise many, the man talking is the same person who played key role in preventing a Hindi national daily from publishing a news item pertaining to the alleged involvement of son of a Jammu based bureaucrat in the suicide of a girl somewhere in Mumbai.
Insiders from that national daily maintain that Renzu first rang up the reporter who was filing the news report and on his advice, then requested the then Bureau Head of that daily against publishing the news item. His request was heeded to by the bureau head of that national daily. One is forced think, had Renzu been in New Delhi, he would have made all possible efforts to ensure that Priyadarshni Mattoo case dies natural death.
Prof. C.L. Vishan while speaking on the varied aspects of the theme of the Seminar highlighted the role of media in creating awareness against crimes. Prof. Rageshwari Mattoo, member of the Foundation and mother of Priyadarshni Mattoo, threw light on the activities of the Foundation.
Muzaffar Parrey, Senior Vice President, Pradesh Congress Committee, spoke extensively on the theme of the Seminar. Javed Shabnam shared the agony of losing his daughter in very unfortunate circumstances. Sarmadiya Pandit, a close associate of Priyadarshni Mattoo, highlighted various aspects of the personality of Priyadarshni, as a brilliant student, an upcoming artist and an outstanding sportsperson.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Javed Iqbal, Director, Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, dwelt on the aims and objects of the Foundation and its activities for the past about 15 years. Prof. O.N. Wakhlu, former Principal, Regional Engineering College, Srinagar, presented a Vote of Thanks. A brief cultural programme was presented on the occasion as part of the function.
Among those present on the occasion were Justice B.A. Khan (retd), former Chief Justice of the State High Court, senior officers, media persons, prominent citizens, family members of Priyadarshini Mattoo and a number of people from various walks of life.
Governor on the occasion presented cash awards and shawls to three outstanding artists of the Kashmir Valley. In his Valedictory Address, Justice Bilal Nazki (Retd), former Chief Justice of the High Court, said that Jammu and Kashmir State has a peculiar advantage, adding that we can change the law which can serve as a model for the entire country.
He suggested for having separate force for investigation and prosecution of cases. In his Keynote Address, Justice B.A. Kirmani (Retd), former Judge of the High Court, giving figures about the criminal cases, stressed for improving the judge-population and police-population ratio. Dwelling on varied reasons for the increasing graph of crimes in the country, he observed that law must act as a deterrent against criminals.
M.S. Pandit, former Chairman of the State Public Service Commission, suggested for trial of criminal cases on fast track basis and more effective use of modern technology for tracking down criminals. |
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