01-03-2006, 06:06 AM
Woman alleges daughter's abduction, conversion
Mahesh Sharma
Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 1
Accusing the Punjab Police of inaction, a woman here has levelled allegations of abduction, forcible conversion, illegal marriage and desolation, followed by physical exploitation, of her only daughter against a Muslim family of Malerkotla.
She has urged religious, social and human rights organisations to rescue her daughter, who according to her would be sold by her captors.
The police, terming the issue as sensitive, however claimed that action would be taken after taking opinion of religious leaders of the Muslim community as the victim was now a member of the same community. According to Ms Nirmala Devi Verma, a Muslim family of nearby Malerkotla town had allegedly abducted and forcibly converted her daughter Reema (fake name) with an intention to push her into flesh trade.
Reema, a graduate trained teacher cum computer engineer, and a sister of two brothers was "hooked" by Latif Mohamad, son of a sawmill owner of Malerkotla town last year, when her mother had been admitted to a private hospital there.
Having received during hospitalisation an extraordinarily generous behaviour from Latif and other members of his family, including wife, two children, parents and siblings, Nirmala accepted him as her third son. "We remained in dark till October 2005, when Latif and his wife had taken Reema to their family on the pretext of marriage of his sister but got her married to him after forcibly converting her religion on the basis of a sworn affidavit attested by a Notary Public at Malerkotla.
"After waiting for a couple of days, I went to their home to meet my daughter but was beaten by Latif and other members of his family and was captivated there," alleged Nirmala.
She was got released by a police party that was called by residents of the area.
Lamenting the callous attitude of all approached by her, Ms Verma said, "It is a pity that despite being a member of a reputable Hindu family I have to run from pillar to post to seek justice for my daughter, who has been exploited both physically and psychologically." She apprehended that Reema, if not rescued soon, would be sold off by her captors.
The police on the other hand claimed that it had already started investigations into the charges leveled by Ms Verma and her daughter.
Mr Rachhpal Singh, DSP, Malerkotla, said he had deputed a senior investigation officer to verify the facts.
"As it was a sensitive issue involving families from two different communities, we have to take opinion of religious leaders also," said Mr Singh.
He further said the suspects had claimed before the police that Reema now known as Alina had voluntarily adopted Islam as her religion and got married with Latif.
"Even now when she has been divorced by our son, we have been allowing her to stay at our home as a goodwill gesture," the parents of Latif told the police.
Accusing the police of inaction, Ms Verma has now urged the religious, social and human Right organisations to impress upon the authorities to rescue her daughter.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060102/ldh1.htm#4
By the way Malerkotla is Muslim majority (70% Muslim) even now and is one of the 2 Muslim majority areas in Punjab, Muslims were spared here during partition because the Nawab of this area requested protection by saying that during the bricking up of Guru Govinds 2 younger sons the ruler of Malerkotla protested against it and that they should be spared (atleast thats what I read), now it is coming back to bite Hindus in the ass.
Mahesh Sharma
Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 1
Accusing the Punjab Police of inaction, a woman here has levelled allegations of abduction, forcible conversion, illegal marriage and desolation, followed by physical exploitation, of her only daughter against a Muslim family of Malerkotla.
She has urged religious, social and human rights organisations to rescue her daughter, who according to her would be sold by her captors.
The police, terming the issue as sensitive, however claimed that action would be taken after taking opinion of religious leaders of the Muslim community as the victim was now a member of the same community. According to Ms Nirmala Devi Verma, a Muslim family of nearby Malerkotla town had allegedly abducted and forcibly converted her daughter Reema (fake name) with an intention to push her into flesh trade.
Reema, a graduate trained teacher cum computer engineer, and a sister of two brothers was "hooked" by Latif Mohamad, son of a sawmill owner of Malerkotla town last year, when her mother had been admitted to a private hospital there.
Having received during hospitalisation an extraordinarily generous behaviour from Latif and other members of his family, including wife, two children, parents and siblings, Nirmala accepted him as her third son. "We remained in dark till October 2005, when Latif and his wife had taken Reema to their family on the pretext of marriage of his sister but got her married to him after forcibly converting her religion on the basis of a sworn affidavit attested by a Notary Public at Malerkotla.
"After waiting for a couple of days, I went to their home to meet my daughter but was beaten by Latif and other members of his family and was captivated there," alleged Nirmala.
She was got released by a police party that was called by residents of the area.
Lamenting the callous attitude of all approached by her, Ms Verma said, "It is a pity that despite being a member of a reputable Hindu family I have to run from pillar to post to seek justice for my daughter, who has been exploited both physically and psychologically." She apprehended that Reema, if not rescued soon, would be sold off by her captors.
The police on the other hand claimed that it had already started investigations into the charges leveled by Ms Verma and her daughter.
Mr Rachhpal Singh, DSP, Malerkotla, said he had deputed a senior investigation officer to verify the facts.
"As it was a sensitive issue involving families from two different communities, we have to take opinion of religious leaders also," said Mr Singh.
He further said the suspects had claimed before the police that Reema now known as Alina had voluntarily adopted Islam as her religion and got married with Latif.
"Even now when she has been divorced by our son, we have been allowing her to stay at our home as a goodwill gesture," the parents of Latif told the police.
Accusing the police of inaction, Ms Verma has now urged the religious, social and human Right organisations to impress upon the authorities to rescue her daughter.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060102/ldh1.htm#4
By the way Malerkotla is Muslim majority (70% Muslim) even now and is one of the 2 Muslim majority areas in Punjab, Muslims were spared here during partition because the Nawab of this area requested protection by saying that during the bricking up of Guru Govinds 2 younger sons the ruler of Malerkotla protested against it and that they should be spared (atleast thats what I read), now it is coming back to bite Hindus in the ass.