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Fwd: most urgent
----- Start Forwarded Message -----
From: "Aasim Sajjad Akhtar" <aasim@sdpi.org>
To: <paolababos@runbox.com>
Subject: most urgent
People's Rights Movement (PRM)
PD-1154B Irum Plaza, Shahrah Stadium Rd, Rawalpindi
Ph: 2278134 Fax: 2278135
URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED FOR LANDLESS TENANTS MOVEMENT
Today, August 24th 2002, a massive contingent of law-enforcement
authorities including the police, paramilitary forces (Rangers) and army
brigades launched a completely unprovoked operation against the unarmed
landless tenants of Okara military farms, in the central part of Punjab
province in Pakistan. In a move that shocked even those expecting the
worst, thousands of tenants were fired upon, shelled with tear gas, and
beaten with batons.
As things stand now, more than 10 villages of Okara military farms are
besieged by thousands of police, military and paramilitary forces. In
village (chak) 4-4/L, where most of the firing and shelling took place,
there are at least 3 tenants dead, including one woman. There are numerous
tenants injured. However, none of the dead or injured can be attended to as
the forces surrounding the village have completely closed off entry and
exit. The tenants have been taken prisoner in their own homes, by those who
are supposed to be protecting them.
Meanwhile in neighboring Renala State military farms, electricity and water
connections in four villages have been severed. Harassment of the worst
kind is taking place: government employees of these villages are being
issued show-cause notices threatening termination of services unless they
compel the tenants to give up their demand for ownership rights. The
activists of Anjuman Mazarain Punjab are all being hunted down. Already at
least 8 activists have been in jail for months.
Similar violence was unleashed on other farms in previous months, including
in Khanewal in June/July. The tenants have emerged from all of this
harassment with their movement stronger than before. However, the sheer
magnitude of the atrocities committed today in Okara have left all who have
been involved in this movement stunned. Government officials have been
non-committal and have claimed a lack of knowledge of the events that have
taken place. As general elections approach, it seems the military has
decided to consummate its authority through a demonstration of force so
obscene that all challengers might be intimidated into silence.
We request your help once again in demanding justice for the tenants. The
one million tenants represented by Anjuman Mazarain Punjab reside on 68,000
acres of land across 10 districts in Punjab. They have been promised
ownership rights repeatedly by General Musharraf and other cabinet
ministers. It is high time that the government follows through on its
promises.
Thank you.
In solidarity,
People's Rights Movement (PRM)
PRM is a confederation of social movements across Pakistan. Anjuman
Mazarain Punjab is a constituent member of PRM.
Write to:
General Pervez Musharraf
President of Pakistan
CE Secretariat, Islamabad
Email: ce@pak.gov.pk
Fax: 92-51-9201051
Khalid Maqbool
Governor Punjab
Governor House, Lahore
Fax: 92-42-9200077
Moinuddin Haider
Minister for the Interior
'R' Block
Pak Secretariat, Islamabad
Fax: 92-51-9202642
Dr. Khalid Ranjha
Minister for Law, Justice, Human Rights, and Parliamentary Affairs
'S' Block
Pak Secretariat, Islamabad
Fax: 92-51-9202628
Email: molaw1@comsats.net.pk
----- End Forwarded Message -----
People's Rights Movement (PRM)
PD-1154B Irum Plaza, Shahrah Stadium Rd, Rawalpindi
Ph: 2278134 Fax: 2278135
URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED FOR LANDLESS TENANTS MOVEMENT
Today, August 24th 2002, a massive contingent of law-enforcement
authorities including the police, paramilitary forces (Rangers) and army
brigades launched a completely unprovoked operation against the unarmed
landless tenants of Okara military farms, in the central part of Punjab
province in Pakistan. In a move that shocked even those expecting the
worst, thousands of tenants were fired upon, shelled with tear gas, and
beaten with batons.
As things stand now, more than 10 villages of Okara military farms are
besieged by thousands of police, military and paramilitary forces. In
village (chak) 4-4/L, where most of the firing and shelling took place,
there are at least 3 tenants dead, including one woman. There are numerous
tenants injured. However, none of the dead or injured can be attended to as
the forces surrounding the village have completely closed off entry and
exit. The tenants have been taken prisoner in their own homes, by those who
are supposed to be protecting them.
Meanwhile in neighboring Renala State military farms, electricity and water
connections in four villages have been severed. Harassment of the worst
kind is taking place: government employees of these villages are being
issued show-cause notices threatening termination of services unless they
compel the tenants to give up their demand for ownership rights. The
activists of Anjuman Mazarain Punjab are all being hunted down. Already at
least 8 activists have been in jail for months.
Similar violence was unleashed on other farms in previous months, including
in Khanewal in June/July. The tenants have emerged from all of this
harassment with their movement stronger than before. However, the sheer
magnitude of the atrocities committed today in Okara have left all who have
been involved in this movement stunned. Government officials have been
non-committal and have claimed a lack of knowledge of the events that have
taken place. As general elections approach, it seems the military has
decided to consummate its authority through a demonstration of force so
obscene that all challengers might be intimidated into silence.
We request your help once again in demanding justice for the tenants. The
one million tenants represented by Anjuman Mazarain Punjab reside on 68,000
acres of land across 10 districts in Punjab. They have been promised
ownership rights repeatedly by General Musharraf and other cabinet
ministers. It is high time that the government follows through on its
promises.
Thank you.
In solidarity,
People's Rights Movement (PRM)
PRM is a confederation of social movements across Pakistan. Anjuman
Mazarain Punjab is a constituent member of PRM.
Write to:
General Pervez Musharraf
President of Pakistan
CE Secretariat, Islamabad
Email: <mailto:ce@pak.gov.pk>ce@pak.gov.pk
Fax: 92-51-9201051
Khalid Maqbool
Governor Punjab
Governor House, Lahore
Fax: 92-42-9200077
Moinuddin Haider
Minister for the Interior
'R' Block
Pak Secretariat, Islamabad
Fax: 92-51-9202642
Dr. Khalid Ranjha
Minister for Law, Justice, Human Rights, and Parliamentary Affairs
'S' Block
Pak Secretariat, Islamabad
Fax: 92-51-9202628
Email: <mailto:molaw1@comsats.net.pk>molaw1@comsats.net.pk