Second woman councillor attacked

* HRCP says women councillors in rural areas politically victimised

By Waqar Gillani

LAHORE: A second woman councillor in a rural area has been beaten up by her political rivals, according to a Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) report.

Khatoon, a 55-year-old councillor in Union Council-60 in Chak 101, Sargodha district, was beaten up inside her house by her political opponents on May 22, the report says. The group of men also tried to abduct her, but her neighbours saved her.

An HRCP team led by advocate Mahboob Ahmed Khan investigated the incident after it was reported to the police on June 13. The HRCP said this was the second time in seven months that a woman councillor had been attacked for political reasons.

At the end of 2003, Faiza Batool, a member of UC-84, was attacked by her rivals. Ms Batool lodged an FIR with the Silanwali Police in Sargodha district.

Ms Khatoon said she and many other local politicians had recently quit the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and joined the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML), which was dominated by the Mela family in the district. She said that was why her previous political bosses, including Mehar Dastgir Lak, were victimising her and had lodged several false cases against her son, a rickshaw-driver.

Locals said poverty was the main reason behind this political victimisation. “The feudal class harasses us to show its power,” said Allah Ditta, a general councillor.

However, the police said the cases were doubtful. Station House Officer Wajid Hussain said, “Political groups habitually lodge complaints against each other.”

The HRCP report said such cases were an example of the typical feudal style in rural and backward areas. “Women are vulnerable and taken for granted,” it added. The report accused the police of being a feudal tool. There are similar incidents expected in the wake of the coming local government elections, said HRCP observer Mr Khan.

Sargodha District Nazim Malik Amjad Ali Noon told Daily Times that ignorance was the basic reason behind these incidents. “This is not only in Sargodha district but in all the rural areas of the country,” he said. Asked about victimisation and exploitation of women in rural areas, Mr Noon said lower-ranked policemen usually do not report such incidents to their superiors.

The district nazim was unaware of the recent incident, however, but said the previous incident was partly the councillor’s own fault. Ms Batool had compromised with her attackers and asked for Rs 5,000 to settle the case, but had raised her demand to Rs 50,000 when she saw the coverage the incident got in the press, said Mr Noon.

Mr Noon, himself an Aitchisonian, said the Melas and other political families of the area were highly literate and civilised. He said women rights were not respected in rural areas. He said local feudal first got their victims involved in litigation, then helped them pursue these cases to get them in their debt. He said there was also an “unholy alliance” between politicians and the police.

Asked about steps planned to protect women rights in rural areas, Mr Noon said the Punjab social welfare, women development and the human rights departments have approved a pilot project called the ‘Family Protection Project’ for Sargodha district.

“The district government will collaborate with civil society groups and non-government organisations to monitor, highlight and solve women violence issues.” The project is to start soon. Lahore Senior Superintendent Police for Investigation Chaudhry Shafqaat Ahmad said the police was not supposed to get involved in cases arising out of political rivalries. However, he said the police were bound to protect women’s rights.

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