ADIL BASHIR
Srinagar, Dec 7: A candle light sit-in was observed against incidents of domestic violence in Kashmir by members of Civil Society at the Press Enclave here on Wednesday evening.
 The sit-in was held in the backdrop of mysterious death of Shazia Majid in Bagh-e-Mehta area here last month.
 On the occasion, the Civil Society members sought a speedy probe into the matter and protested against the domestic violence against women in general. 
 Despite bad weather, people from all walks of life especially women folk including teaching and non-teaching staff of Islamic University, Awantipora participated in the sit-in.   “I think it is the participation of women that will change the things and save many others like Shazia Majid. We live in a society where traditions are misused to deprive women of simple freedom. These traditions have forced Kashmiri women to act as passive recipients of violence.” said a lawyer and human rights activist Narjees Nawab who coordinated the event.
 Pertinently, Shazia Majid, a mother of a three-year-old daughter in her late 20s, gold medalist in Library Sciences (MLiS), was working as a Librarian at Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora. She was found hanging a day ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Her parents fear she was murdered allegedly by her in-laws.
 Even after a month, the much-awaited post mortem report essential to establish the cause and circumstances of the death is yet to be procured by the police.
 Demanding a speedy probe in Shazia’s mysterious death, she maintained that “our society for ages has expected the women to play a silent part.”
 “We have ignored the plight of women for a long time but the present situation is so grave that we just can’t keep quiet. The instances of crime against women are rising in Kashmir in every form and now the time has come when women need to rise above her unfortunate limited role and break this silence,” she added.
 Shazia’s colleagues at Islamic University praised her behavior while working in the University. “Shazia used to be very punctual and temperamentally very cooperative and friendly with her colleagues. Her relations with her colleagues and students have always been very lively and adaptable. I doubt that she has committed a suicide. It can’t be true,” said one of Shazia’s colleagues.
 During the event, Shazia’s parents questioned the FIR report registered by Police recently. “If the Police has filed an FIR NO 239/2011 under Section 306, 498-A of the RPC, which signifies abetment to suicide due to in-laws’ cruelty, then why only Javed (Shazia’s husband) is arrested. Why not his parents?” asked Shazia’s father, Abdul Majid.
 When contacted, the Deputy Superintendent of  Police (DySP), Shabir Ahmad Shah who is investigating the case said “We have filed the FIR and arrested Javed on the basis of certain evidences which we collected during the investigation.”
 “Javed along with his wife and daughter was living in a separate house at Bagh-e-Mehtab while his parents are living in Nowgam. If we get any evidence against them, we will take action as per rules,” the DySP added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST