Missing Hindus: Pak rights body concerned

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has said it has received several complaints of 8220;enforced disappearances8221; of Hindus in the country and expressed concern over the rise in such incidents.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has said it has received several complaints of 8220;enforced disappearances8221; of Hindus in the country and expressed concern over the rise in such incidents.

The rights body demanded that law enforcement authorities and agencies must either release the citizens or disclose the charges against such illegally arrested and kidnapped people. Giving details of such cases, it said 55-year-old Gordhan Das, alias GM Bhagat, was allegedly picked up by four law enforcement agency personnel from Umerkot district on September 9, 2006. A petition was filed by Bhagat8217;s son Om Prakash in the Hyderabad High Court, the rights body headed by noted human rights activist, Asma Jahangir said.

In another such complaint lodged before the HRCP, one Chetan Kumar from the same district was arrested as an alleged 8220;terror suspect8221; in 2001 and was sentenced by the special anti-terrorism court in Hyderabad, a release issued by HRCP in Daily Times today said. He was reportedly tortured and abused in custody. Kumar was later acquitted by the SHC in Karachi in 2005. In July 2006, eight armed law enforcement agents arrived at his house in a government vehicle and tortured him and his son. Kumar was then taken away, the report said. His family informed the Umerkot police about the incident and requested that an FIR be lodged.

However, the police refused to take action and Kumar8217;s whereabouts have been unknown since then. Taking note of the complaints, the rights body said authorities should disclose the law under which these people have been arrested, the place of detention, and the name of the court where the case if any is pending, or where these detained people were produced, HRCP member Zohra Yusuf said.