---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: rajiv yadav <rajeev.pucl@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Subject: Tarique Quasmi Prisoner High Security Cell C Block District Jail Lucknow Letter addressed to the People
To: Shah Nawaz <shahnawaz.media@gmail.com>
Tarique Quasmi's Letter addressed to the People
(Sent from the Lucknow Jail)
22nd September 2012
Salaam!
We are also humans. We are patriotic citizens and innocents who have
been forcefully trapped in unholy plots and charged with terrorist
cases. Today we are so distressed due to the never-ending torture that
we are even considering commitment of suicide. Inhuman treatment is
being meted out on us by the jail authorities which has depressed us
so much that suicide seems to be the only option left to us.
Each of us here has been thrown behind bars in a somewhat similar
manner. We have been illegally abducted from our houses, markets,
fields, or streets, kept in illegal custody, made part of manufactured
stories by violent means, and then after many days shown arrested with
illegal materials in possession, from places like Barabanki, Lucknow,
Unnav and others.
We have been miserably tortured in 'high security' wards. The torture
continues even today in the form of intentional communal remarks.
Snapshots from 2008-09
Continuously locked in a moist, dark and dull cell measuring just 8 by
12 ft, we were never allowed to move out for even a minute. On 13th of
June 2008, Friday we were beaten up with leather hunters and lathis,
our bodies torn and broken down. The holy Quran was made unholy; its
pages were torn and thrown in the toilet. All our clothes, bedsheets,
books were confiscated. Infact, in the initial days itself
restrictions were imposed in this regard – only 2 pairs of clothes, a
lungi, a towel and not more than two underwears were allowed.
Troubled so much, we sat on a long hunger strike whereby we completely
boycotted food in protest. Then from 27th January 2009 onwards we were
let open for half an hour every day in a small verandah surrounded by
walls so high that sunlight disappeared after 12 noon, let alone even
a single trace of greenery. From December 2011 onwards after many
requests our stay in the verandah was extended to an hour.
It must be brought to your notice that, keeping in sync with the
prison manual, on the jail register we were always shown freely moving
like other co-prisoners. But as said earlier, were always continuously
locked in the small cell. Due to this people had started falling ill
here. Whereas some have gone in to depression, others' memory has been
affected. Some others have started losing their vision.
Many years have passed since the magistrate responsible for jail
investigation last stepped into the 'High Security' ward. High
officials and authorities are not brought to this side to prevent us
from complaining. Our requests are not forwarded to the authorities so
that we remain deprived of human rights.
As per Supreme court guidelines, any under trial must not be kept in
isolation when imprisoned. Even the convicted must be kept in
isolation for not more than three months. Why are we being subject to
illegal, inhuman and criminal behaviour when we are citizens framed
under a plot?
Friends, in a situation marked by shortsightedness of authorities,
inaccessibility to higher officials, delay in decisions regarding
cases and unavailability of medicines, many of us are depressed. This
has led to frustration and restlessness amongst us and we have been
forced to consider the validity and scope of suicide. This question
about suicide is often raised to me during our conversations. How and
what does one explain to such people? When they go out in fresh air
for whatever little time they are let free during the day, they
request for medical care and plead for their life. They are mocked at
and told that even if they commit suicide or die otherwise, it would
get covered up. They are openly told that they can complaint to
whoever they like.
My heart is shaken seeing the helplessness of my co-prisoners and my
own self here. Are we in an Indian jail or a British jail? Are we
living in a secular state or a communal one?
We request you to help us. Actions taken on government dictates or
with the help of authorities and courts, that are against human rights
can be put to an end.
For the strength and success of this nation, please be kind and pay
attention to helpless lives sobbing and crying in this hearth full of
hatred. Because it is justice that gives strength to the nation and
the State.
By
Mohd. Tarique Quasmi
Prisoner
High Security Cell
C Block District Jail
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Released by RIHAI MANCH, Lucknow
Contact- 0941501266, 09415254919, 09452800752,
From: rajiv yadav <rajeev.pucl@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Subject: Tarique Quasmi Prisoner High Security Cell C Block District Jail Lucknow Letter addressed to the People
To: Shah Nawaz <shahnawaz.media@gmail.com>
Tarique Quasmi's Letter addressed to the People
(Sent from the Lucknow Jail)
22nd September 2012
Salaam!
We are also humans. We are patriotic citizens and innocents who have
been forcefully trapped in unholy plots and charged with terrorist
cases. Today we are so distressed due to the never-ending torture that
we are even considering commitment of suicide. Inhuman treatment is
being meted out on us by the jail authorities which has depressed us
so much that suicide seems to be the only option left to us.
Each of us here has been thrown behind bars in a somewhat similar
manner. We have been illegally abducted from our houses, markets,
fields, or streets, kept in illegal custody, made part of manufactured
stories by violent means, and then after many days shown arrested with
illegal materials in possession, from places like Barabanki, Lucknow,
Unnav and others.
We have been miserably tortured in 'high security' wards. The torture
continues even today in the form of intentional communal remarks.
Snapshots from 2008-09
Continuously locked in a moist, dark and dull cell measuring just 8 by
12 ft, we were never allowed to move out for even a minute. On 13th of
June 2008, Friday we were beaten up with leather hunters and lathis,
our bodies torn and broken down. The holy Quran was made unholy; its
pages were torn and thrown in the toilet. All our clothes, bedsheets,
books were confiscated. Infact, in the initial days itself
restrictions were imposed in this regard – only 2 pairs of clothes, a
lungi, a towel and not more than two underwears were allowed.
Troubled so much, we sat on a long hunger strike whereby we completely
boycotted food in protest. Then from 27th January 2009 onwards we were
let open for half an hour every day in a small verandah surrounded by
walls so high that sunlight disappeared after 12 noon, let alone even
a single trace of greenery. From December 2011 onwards after many
requests our stay in the verandah was extended to an hour.
It must be brought to your notice that, keeping in sync with the
prison manual, on the jail register we were always shown freely moving
like other co-prisoners. But as said earlier, were always continuously
locked in the small cell. Due to this people had started falling ill
here. Whereas some have gone in to depression, others' memory has been
affected. Some others have started losing their vision.
Many years have passed since the magistrate responsible for jail
investigation last stepped into the 'High Security' ward. High
officials and authorities are not brought to this side to prevent us
from complaining. Our requests are not forwarded to the authorities so
that we remain deprived of human rights.
As per Supreme court guidelines, any under trial must not be kept in
isolation when imprisoned. Even the convicted must be kept in
isolation for not more than three months. Why are we being subject to
illegal, inhuman and criminal behaviour when we are citizens framed
under a plot?
Friends, in a situation marked by shortsightedness of authorities,
inaccessibility to higher officials, delay in decisions regarding
cases and unavailability of medicines, many of us are depressed. This
has led to frustration and restlessness amongst us and we have been
forced to consider the validity and scope of suicide. This question
about suicide is often raised to me during our conversations. How and
what does one explain to such people? When they go out in fresh air
for whatever little time they are let free during the day, they
request for medical care and plead for their life. They are mocked at
and told that even if they commit suicide or die otherwise, it would
get covered up. They are openly told that they can complaint to
whoever they like.
My heart is shaken seeing the helplessness of my co-prisoners and my
own self here. Are we in an Indian jail or a British jail? Are we
living in a secular state or a communal one?
We request you to help us. Actions taken on government dictates or
with the help of authorities and courts, that are against human rights
can be put to an end.
For the strength and success of this nation, please be kind and pay
attention to helpless lives sobbing and crying in this hearth full of
hatred. Because it is justice that gives strength to the nation and
the State.
By
Mohd. Tarique Quasmi
Prisoner
High Security Cell
C Block District Jail
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Released by RIHAI MANCH, Lucknow
Contact- 0941501266, 09415254919, 09452800752,
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