Electronic and print media of Pakistan is playing an active role in helping Mr. Manu Bheel, a Hindu bonded labourer whose 9 family members were kidnapped 10 year ago.

A local television news channel, the Express News, has been presenting interviews of Manu Bheel and other Haris (bonded laborers) and following development in the case.  The news channel has also organized a special transmission called “Manu Bheel Pakistani” to address the human rights issue of disappearances and kidnapping of bonded labourers in Pakistan.

Hotline Asia issued UA061019(7) in October 2006 to urge the authorities to help recover Mr. Manu Bheel’s family members, take a stern action against the alleged kidnappers, and ensure the protection of minorities in Pakistan.


Source:
Local Source

Shabbir Kaimkhani, one of the three co-accused arrested by Sanghar (Sindh) police had been granted bail by the court, while investigations are still on-going and while bail applications of the other accused, Azeem Khaskheli and Juma Machi, are still being considered. Azeem Khaskheli was the driver of Abdul Rehman Mari’s vehicle in which Manu Bheel’s family members were kidnapped in 1998.

In this regard, Manu Bheel, along with peasants demonstrated outside the Hyderabad (Sindh) Press Club on 27 May 2008. They carried placards and banners with slogans calling the government to ensure release of his family and provide a lawyer to Manu Bheel at government expense to represent him in court.

They also urged that the prime accused of the case, Abdul Rehman Mari, and his henchmen involved in this case should not be granted bail or released until his family members are freed.

Hotline Asia issued UA061019(7) in October 2006 urging the government of Pakistan to recover the nine family members of Mr. Manu Bheel, a Hindu bonded labourer.The hostages who were reportedly kidnapped at gunpoint on 2 May 1998 from village Goth Waryam Memon deh 13 district Mirpurkhas included Kheero Bheel (Manu’s father), Akho (mother), Talal (brother), Mautan (wife), Momal and Dhanee (daughters), Chamman and Kanjeen (sons) and Karto (relative).

Source:
Daily Nawa-e-Waqt (Urdu)
Daily Jang Karachi (Urdu)

The provincial government of Sindh has approved a reward of PKR 5,000,000 (US$ 83,333) for any citizen locating or identifying the nine missing family members of Mr. Manu Bheel. The sources said that the provincial government is expected to publicize the posters to spread the above-mentioned message in different districts of the province.

The Additional Session Court, district Mirpurkhas, has already issued seven-day remand orders to Mr. Shabir Ahmed Qayam Khani, one of the 8 individuals accused in the case, and handed him to the police.

Hotline Asia issued UA061019(7) in October 2006 urging the government of Pakistan to recover the nine family members of Mr. Manu Bheel, a Hindu bonded laborer. His parents, wife, 2 daughters, 2 sons, a brother and a relative were kidnapped on 2 May 1998 from village Goth Waryam Memon Deh 31, in district Mirpurkhas, allegedly by Mr. Abdul Rehman Mari, an influential landlord.

Source:
NCJP Hyderabad Office
The Dawn (local newspaper)

According to the letter from the Provincial Police Officer, Sindh, Karachi, in response to Hotline Asia¡¦s Urgent Appeal, a special team has been set up under direct supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) to trace the missing members of Mr. Bheel¡¦s family, and raids have been conducted. Meanwhile two women have claimed to be daughters of Mr. Bheel and DNA tests were expected in December 2006, but local source revealed that Mr. Bheel has refused to accept them. The Officer also claimed to ensure that they have provided adequate security to him and the Supreme Court is monitoring the progress of investigation.

Inspector General Police Sindh failed to recover the nine family members of Mr. Bheel before 11 December 2006, which is the deadline given to him by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The next hearing of the case will be on 16 February 2007.

Nine family members of Mr. Manu Bheel, a bonded labourer, were allegedly kidnapped by a feudal landlord since May 1998. In support of his efforts which did not yield any results since then, Hotline Asia issued UA061019(7) in October 2006 to add international pressure to the authorities in recovering the family members. Issues on equitable investigation irrespective of social status were also highlighted.

Source:
Local sources

The Supreme Court of Pakistan gave 11 December 2006 as the deadline for the Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Jehangir Mirza to recover the 9 family members of Mr. Manu Bheel, a Hindu bonded labourer, allegedly kidnapped by a feudal landlord 8 years ago.

The Supreme Court bench has rejected previous police report on the efforts made for the abducted people as paper work without concrete results. Thus, they have given the responsibility to the IGP to conduct the investigation himself before the next hearing in December. Previously, the Deputy Inspector General was appointed to find the family, but in spite of his efforts which was reportedly not appreciated by higher authorities, he was suspended for serious differences with the IGP.

It was observed that the police department did a poor performance in the recovery effort, compounded by the influence of the landlords on judicial system and other factors. However, there is continued hope that with the responsibility given to someone higher in authority, there would be better results by the next hearing.

In solidarity with Mr. Manu Bheel, Hotline Asia issued UA061019(7) to exert international pressure on efforts to recover his family members and urge investigation without discrimination in social status and religious belief. Please continue to write letters to the authorities to add pressure on the investigation effort.

Source:
Daily Times