As per kind directions of the Hon. Federal Minister for Human Rights, Ms. Shireen M. Mazari, Ministry of Human Rights, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad and feeling the resentment among various segments of civil society on the incidents occurred in Districts Ghotki and Larkana, 1) Alleged blasphemy by a teacher, Notan Lal 2) Attack on temples in Ghotki district and 3) Mysterious death of final year student of Asifa Dental College, Larkana, Dr Nimarta, a delegation was formed with the consultation of Parliamentarians, Lawyers, Members of Civil Society, prominent Journalists and Sindh Human Rights Defenders. As per schedule, the fact-finding team proceeded to districts Ghotki / Sukkur / Larkana on 21/09/2019 to find out the apprehensions of the community on the recent riots in Ghotki. The delegation comprised over following members: 1. Mr. Lal Chand Malhi, MNA & Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights 2. Mr. Chaila Ram, Ex-President Pakistan Hindu Council 3. Mr. Ali Palh, Advocate & Sindh Human Rights Defender 4. Mr. Kirshan Sharma, Civil Society Activist 5. Mr. Baghi Soomro, Social Welfare Worker 6. Mr. Mukhtiar Ahmed Abbasi, Human Rights Defender 7. Mr. Sattar Ranghejo, Human Rights Defender 8. Mr. Baghwan Das Bheel, Bheel Lawyer Forum 9. Ms. Kanwal Ijaz, women rights Activist 10. Mr. Ishaque Thri, Journalist 11. Mr. Ishaque Soomro, Journalist 12. Mr. Fida Hussain Chochan, Citizen Journalism Network 13. Mr. Bota Masih, Social Welfare Worker 14. Ms. Mehrunissa Baloch, social worker 15. Ms. Fareeda Channa, Social Welfare Worker 16. Ms. Radha Bheel, Social Welfare Worker 17. More Members of Civil Society and Sindh Human Rights Defenders The riots had erupted in Ghotki following an allegation by a student of a private school against his teacher, Notan, Lal of blasphemy. The allegation was made reportedly on Saturday, September, 14 and the FIR was lodged against the accused same day. Before the FIR, the allegation surfaced on social media too. Ghotki is among the districts where Hindu community has been raising voice against the forced conversions. Delegation visited the Hindu Temple (SSD DHAM) which was attacked by a mob on September 15, 2019. The delegation met with Hindu Temple Committee and Hindu Community leaders. The delegation assured the Hindu Community People for protection and justice to the minorities and described the recent riots in Ghotki as conspiracy to undermine the communal harmony in the area. The community demanded impartial judicial inquiry regarding alleged blasphemy attributed to a Professor, Notan Lal, so that the fair action may be taken as per law. The community shared their concerns that whether a teacher who has been teaching students for last thirty years, majority of them Muslims, can commit blasphemy? They also demanded stern action against the accused who attacked temple, looted shops, tried to violate sanctity of chadar and chardewari / homes and created law and order situation causing fear and harassment among the community. The Hindu community appreciated not only law enforcement agencies but local majority Muslim people of Ghotki who came to their rescue and guarded their homes overnight, defeating the miscreants. Politicians across the board visited the temple and assured the Hindu community their support, they added. Delegation was of the view that the violent incidents of the Ghotki were conspiracy to foment communal riots in the area which had created scene of insecurity among the Hindu Community of Ghotki. Delegation reached at the Office of SSP Ghotki, Dr. Farrukh Ali, who gave detailed briefing to the delegation regarding Ghotki incidents and current law and order situation in the district. The SSP assured the delegation more action in the light of the discussion to prevent such incidents in future. The delegation appreciated police cooperation and sharing the experience. The delegation met various impartial people in the area. It appeared during the discussion with administration and civil society that the attack on the temple and riots were planned a night earlier. The rioters/mob did not belong to ordinary people only (enraged over alleged blasphemy), there were reports of political motivation with ulterior motives and few political personalities were backing the miscreants. Mr. Notan Lal was active in supporting a political party in recent by elections held in Ghotki. The riots were only contained when Pakistan Rangers were called in. The Ghotki police registered three FIRs for rioting, attacking on temple, ransacking, theft etc. Delegates were of the view that police was lenient while applying relevant sections in the FIR. The police also did not took into account the fact that the attacks were planned and few influential persons were involved in the crime. Delegates were also of the view that the police took their all-out efforts to control the situation, however, few concessions were made to cool it down. Then, delegation reached at the residence of the deceased girl Miss Nimarta located at Mirpur Mathelo District Ghotki and met with her family and offered deep condolence on the sorrowful incident of mysterious death of Miss Nimarta. The delegation assured family of the deceased girl Miss Nimarta for taking every possible step in order to provide them justice in the case of mysterious death. The delegates held a separate meeting with Mr. Jai Pal, the father of deceased girl, Nimarta, who expressed his reluctance to lodge an FIR for unknown reasons. However, he insisted that her daughter was murdered. After meeting with the family of the deceased girl Miss Nimarta, delegation reached at the Office of SSP Sukkur, where SSP Larkana Mr. Masood Ahmed Bangash provided detailed briefing regarding the mysterious death of Nimarta in hostel of Asifa Dental College, Larkana. As per briefing of SSP Larkana, the case is under investigation and FIR of the case has not yet been registered by her family while Home Department, Government of Sindh has issued letter to the Honourable District and Session Judge, Larkana for the judicial inquiry of the case of Miss. Nimarta. After detailed discussion with the SSP Larkana, the delegation decided to visit place of the incident along with SSP Larkana in order to get more details of the Nimarta case. Then, delegation proceeded to District Larkana along with SSP Larkana and visited place of incident of Nimarta case (i.e. Girl Hostel of Asifa Dental College, Larkana). SSP Larkana also shared further details with the delegation during the different questions raised by the members of the delegation at the place of incident. The delegates found that there were inappropriate security measures for girls’ hostel, CCTV cameras were not installed and hostel lacked facilities. The crime scene added more mystery to the incident and delegates put various questions. Terming the mysterious death of Dr. Nimarta as suicide and removal of the dead body from hostel to hospital without informing police by college administration also created doubts in the mind of the parents of the girl / general public. (FIRs and relevant documents attached.) RECOMMENDATIONS: A) TEMPLE / RIOTING AND BLASPHEMY CASE, GHOTKI 1) A judicial probe may be ordered to ascertain if the blasphemy law is not misused against the Mr. Notan Lal and consequent riots were not result of planned conspiracy hatched to disturb peace of Sindh, Pakistan and harmony between Hindu & Muslims living together for centuries. 2) The probe may also shed light to the recurrent complains of Hindu community of Ghotki. 3) Section 34 PPC, 295–A may be applied in case of blasphemy lodged against miscreants who attacked places of worship (Temple). 4) The administration should not hesitate to call para-military forces/rangers to control such situation/mob arising in future and the process for the call be made easier for district administration. 5) The Supreme Court judgment given on June 19, 2014 in (2014) SMC 1/2014 regarding the protection of minorities be implemented in letter and spirit. B) MYSTRIOUS DEATH OF DR. NIMARTA 1) Judicial probe has already been ordered by Sindh Government over the mysterious death of Dr. Nimarta. The inquiry may investigate all aspects leading to mysterious death of Dr. Nimarta and suggest measures to avert such incidents in future. 2) Security may be provided to family of Dr. Nimarta and witnesses in this case in University. 3) Physical security of girls’ / hostels should be increased by installing CCTV cameras etc. *** ?
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