SEVERAL QUESTIONS are being raised over the manner in which two terrorists were killed in the
Batla house encounter in Delhi’s predominantly Muslim Jamia Nagar locality.
Preliminary findings by a fact finding team of civil society including teachers, students, journalists, intellectuals and Muslim leaders almost alleges that it was a stage managed encounter. The team which visited the encounter site and engaged with locals points to a witch-hunt by the police.
Arbitrary arrests of Muslim youth and casual approach of police, the findings suggest, has created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion. It is also alleged that there is a feeling of incarceration and isolation and “not to say the terror of an authoritarian and prejudiced state that was writ large on the locality.”
The
fact finding team reports that even now there is a siege like situation in and around Batla House building, where the encounters took place. There are scores of police man in Khaki as well as plainclothes, who ensure that each and every one visiting the building is under constant scanner.
It cites the example of how police presence is hindering the normal lives of local people. “On further investigation we came to know that one family which has one woman pregnant left the house, because that woman was getting stressed under the circumstances,” the report quotes.
Students living in that building missed exams and living there is a constant source of stress and kids even needed medical help to check trauma, it adds.
The report also questions as to why the L-18 flat where the alleged encounter took place is sealed. It also alleges that seizure of weapons, laptops and other incriminating documents was done without the presence of any credible witness.
The report, quotes local residents, and asserts that not even a single resident of the area accepts the police version of ’encounter’. The police story, residents alleged is one sided and some witnesses even claim that innocent youngsters have been killed.
Eyewitnesses said that there was initial firing for 15 minutes after which police fired intermittently to show that it was a real encounter. Police also destroyed the flowerpots used to break the windowpanes of L-18 flat, the locals allege.
The fact finding team also rubbished the police claim that two terrorists had escaped from the L-18 flat. They asserted that with a single entrance it is impossible for anyone to escape from the building in police presence.
The locals also asked as to why none of the bodies of deceased were shown to any one.
Local residents are also asking as to why police is NOT allowing media to go inside L 18 and shoot and talk to people even almost after a week? Do they have anything to hide? Normally it is done within a few hours.
Sajid shot point blank
The fact finding team further states that Sajid, the alleged terrorist was shot point blank, which does not happen in an encounter. “These shots, which are at point blank, cannot happen in the case of an encounter. Because in case of an encounter, where the shots are fired from a distance, the wounds would open up,” the team writes.
Police version of fake tenant verification
The fact finding team further says that prominent citizens of the area have questioned the police version of fake tenant verification. The local opine that even if a forgery was done by the owner and caretaker, no information given about Atif was incorrect.
Question marks over inspector MC Sharma’s killing
The fact finding team’s report also questions the circumstances and reasons behind the killing of inspector MC Sharma. Locals assert that Sharma was not killed in an exchange of fire and his death needs to be investigated.
“The people of the locality are asking: Why would the most dynamic of Special Cell officers, MC Sharma, go to an operation - where he may nab the masterminds of deadly blasts - without wearing bullet proof jacket?,” the fact finding team writes.
The fact finding team has also made some immediate demands, which include:
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Immediate withdrawal of the police siege of Jamia Nagar in general and the lane where house No L-18 is situated
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Stopping harassment of Muslim youth under the garb of ’combating terror’
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A high-level judicial enquiry of the entire episode
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Making public the autopsy report of the two killed youth in the ’encounter’
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Making public the autopsy report of inspector MC Sharma. There should also be a judicial enquiry into the circumstances leading to his death
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Press and civil society should be allowed to talk to doctors/authorities of the Holy Family Hospital
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The State has to provide for the medical counselling of the residents of Jamia Nagar, who have been affected by this encounter
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Police should stop releasing selective photos from CCTV cameras to Press to build opinion against Muslims.
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