Refugee Review Tribunal AUSTRALIA

RRT RESEARCH RESPONSE

Research Response Number: IND34174 Country: India Date: 19 January 2009

Keywords: India – – Elections – Political parties – Jatavs – Kasais – Religious communities – – Christians – Muslims – Islamist terrorists – Muslim mafia – Land mafia – Landholding system – State protection – Faridabad

This response was prepared by the Research & Information Services Section of the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the RRT within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. This research response may not, under any circumstance, be cited in a decision or any other document. Anyone wishing to use this information may only cite the primary source material contained herein.

Questions

1. What is the state of politics in Uttar Pradesh? i.e. which party is in power and is it believed to support Muslims or others? 2. Who and what are the characteristics of Jatavs and Kasais? 3. What is the relationship between Hindus, Christians and Muslims in Uttar Pradesh? 4. Is there evidence to indicate Uttar Pradesh is the hub of Islamist terrorist activities? 5. Is there a recognised Muslim/land mafia in Uttar Pradesh? 6. Does Uttar Pradesh have recognised landholding/titles system? 7. Does Uttar Pradesh offer protection to Hindus? 8. Where is Faridabad located in relation to Agra?

RESPONSE

1. What is the state of politics in Uttar Pradesh? i.e. which party is in power and is it believed to support Muslims or others?

The UK Home Office January 2008 Country of Origin Information Report for India provides the following information on the current state of politics in Uttar Pradesh:

3.18 Uttar Pradesh, Indian’s most populous state, saw the low-caste (BSP) take a landslide victory at the assembly elections. (BBC News, 11 May 2007) [32ag] Ending 14 years of coalition rule, BSP leader, Kumari, became Chief Minister for the fourth time. (, 12 May 2007) [60b] The BSP took 206 out of the 402 seats, leaving the (SP), (BJP) and (INC) trailing with 97, 51 and 22 seats respectively. (Indian Elections, accessed 30 May 2007) [14a] (UK Home Office 2008, Country of Origin Information Report: India, January, p.15 - Attachment 1).

A profile of the Bahujan Samaj Party provided on the Indian Elections 2009 website outlines the party’s political leanings and support base, stating:

The party claims to have socialist leanings inspired by the philosophy of B.R. Ambedkar and was formed by to chiefly represent the Dalits1 in the nation. It regards the Bahujans ( for Majority) like the Scheduled Castes/Tribes or , Other Backward castes (OBC)2 & Religious Minorities as it’s [sic] main voter base and does not shy in playing the caste-card in the elections.

The party has its main base in Uttar Pradesh (UP) where it has formed government several times. There exists deep and mutual hostility between the BSP and the other leading party of UP, Samajwadi Party, whose support is mainly obtained from the OBC and this has led the BSP into allying itself many times with its erstwhile ideological enemies, the Bhartiya Janta Party.

…The party’s political symbol is an elephant.

In the current [House of the People], it has 17 members (‘Know your political party: Bahujan Samaj Party’ 2008, Indian Elections 2009 website, 14 December http://indianelections09.umbc.edu/analysis/?p=948 – Accessed 9 January 2009 – Attachment 4).

As noted above, the BSP’s main voter base consists of the Scheduled Castes/Tribes or Dalits (to which Mayawati belongs), Other Backward castes (OBC) and religious minorities. The BSP also appeals to Muslims and a section of upper caste . This has led the BSP to be described as having “acquired the image of somewhat [sic] Nehruvian ‘rainbow coalition’” which, it has been asserted, has been a main contributing factor in its path to victory (Nayyar, D. 2007, ‘There’s Something About Maya: Changing Politics In India’s Largest State’, ISAS Brief No. 8, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, 17 May http://www.isasnus.org/events/backgroundbriefs/9.pdf - Accessed 9 January 2009 – Attachment 5).

A report in the Thaindian News asserts:

With the Dalits solidly behind her and with the support of Muslims and a section of the upper castes, Mayawati routed everyone in the 2007 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. A segment of the extremely backward classes (EBCs) also voted for the BSP.

The arithmetical cocktail of Dalits, Muslims and EBCs is solely responsible for Mayawati’s rise and rise in Uttar Pradesh (Roy, R.R. 2008, ‘Mayawati-Congress battle is all over

1 The term ‘dalit’ is defined by Encyclopaedia Britannica as “(‘the Oppressed’), preferred term of self- identification for those at the bottom of the caste hierarchy in India, also known as ‘untouchables,’ ‘outcastes,’ or members of the scheduled castes. Because Dalit refers to all forms of social and economic oppression, its use can also be extended to other suppressed peoples of India: tribal groups, religious minorities, women, and the poor of all castes. Primarily, however, the term, was popularized in protest movements of the 1970s as a positive, assertive expression of pride in the untouchable heritage. It has largely replaced the name Harijan, or “Children of God,” which was Mahatma Gandhi's suggested substitute for untouchables but has seemed patronizing to Dalits themselves (‘Dalit’ 2009, Encyclopædia Britannica Online, 12 January http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9391463 - Accessed 12 January 2009 - Attachment 2). 2For a definition of these terms see Attachment 3. votes’, Thaindian News, 23 April http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/mayawati- congress-battle-is-all-over-dalit-votes_10041001.html - Accessed 13 January 2009 – Attachment 6).

2. Who and what are the characteristics of Jatavs and Kasais?

i. Jatavs

Jatavs are recognised as a ‘Scheduled Caste’ in India (see Attachment 3). The World Culture Encyclopedia website provides the following description of the Jatavs:

Identification. The Jatavs are an endogamous caste of the , or leather worker, category of castes in India. Because of the polluting occupation of leather worker they rank among the Untouchable castes close to the bottom of India's caste hierarchy. Some say the name "Jatav" is derived from the word jat (camel driver), while others say it is derived from "Jat," the name of a non-Untouchable farming caste. Many Jatavs themselves say it is derived from the term "," the lineage of Lord Krishna. They are also known as a Scheduled Caste because, as Untouchables, they are included on a schedule of castes eligible for government aid….

Location. Jatavs live mostly in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab, as well as in the Union Territory of Delhi in northwest India….

Demography. Jatavs are not listed separately in the census of India but along with other . In the four states mentioned above Chamars numbered 27,868,146, about 9.9 percent of those states' population (1981).

Linguistic Affiliation. Jatavs speak related languages of the Indo-Aryan Family of languages including Hindi, Rajasthani, and Braj Bhasha, all using the Devanagari script, as well as Punjabi using the Gurmukhi script…. (‘Jatav – Orientation’ 2008, World Culture Encyclopedia website http://www.everyculture.com/South-Asia/Jatav-Orientation.html - Accessed 8 January 2009 – Attachment 7).

The World Culture Encyclopedia website provides additional information regarding the politicization of Jatavs in pre-independent and post-independent India and resulting conflict between Jatavs and upper-castes. It states:

Political Organization. In preindependent India Jatavs gained considerable political expertise by forming associations and by developing a literate cadre of leaders. They tried to change their position in the caste system through "Sanskritization," the emulation of upper- caste behavior. Jatavs claimed or warrior-class origin and rank, and they organized caste associations to reform caste behavior and lobby for their claims. After independence India legally abolished the practice of untouchability, established the universal franchise, and developed the policy of "protective discrimination." That policy reserves electoral constituencies for Scheduled Caste candidates according to their percentages of population in the nation and the states; it does likewise for jobs in the national and state civil services; and it offers educational benefits to them. Jatavs have taken advantage of that policy and turned to active participation in India's parliamentary system of government. At times they have elected members of their caste to various state and national legislatures. In villages they have been less successful at influencing local political institutions and capturing funds meant for developmental projects. A major influence upon Jatavs was the Untouchable leader Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (d. 1956) who encouraged Untouchables to fight for their rights, and, as first minister for law in India, provided a powerful role model….

Conflict. …In recent years conflicts, both in cities and villages, have taken a political turn as Jatavs, and other Untouchables, have tried to assert their rights. Non-Untouchable castes have reacted negatively. Serious riots between Jatavs and upper castes have occurred in cities, such as Agra, and dangerous conflicts have also occurred in villages. Jatavs feel that the pace of change is much too slow, while upper castes have rejected it as too fast, unjustified, and contrary to orthodox Hindu teaching (‘Jatav – Sociopolitical Organization’ 2008, World Culture Encyclopedia website http://www.everyculture.com/South-Asia/Jatav-Sociopolitical- Organization.html - Accessed 8 January 2009 – Attachment 8).

The refers to the Jatavs (a caste to which Bahujan Samaj Party leader and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Kumari Mayawati belongs) as “one of the most socially mobile and politically articulate Dalit groups.” It describes the Jatavs as “the Scheduled Caste elite”, having a strong middle-class, and being the “beneficiaries of education, job reservation and an aggressive programme of land ownership” (Sardesai, R. 2007 ‘Lady in Waiting’, Hindustan Times, 26 April http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=b19b5fe3-ba31-46c9-88b5- 68c35cb9cbef&&Headline=Lady+in+waiting – Accessed 12 January 2009 - Attachment 9).

ii. Kasai

The Kasai(also spelt ‘Qassai’ or ‘Kasab’) represent one of the linguistic and religious minorities of India and are recognised as one of the ‘Other Backward Classes’ by the Indian government (‘Central List of Other Backward Classes – Uttar Pradesh’, Government of India National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) website http://ncbc.nic.in/backward- classes/up.html - Accessed 13 January 2009 – Attachment 10).

Limited information was found in the sources consulted relating to the Kasai, however, some insights are provided by an anthropological survey of the people of India entitled The People of India: Maharashtra (2005). This study describes the Kasai firstly as an “occupational community” consisting of “butchers” and “beef and mutton sellers” (p.942). Later in the chapter it refers to the Kasai as a “business and trading community” consisting of “truck drivers, auto mechanics, leather workers, hammel (casual labourers) tailors, doctors, advocates, teachers, and in government jobs like sub-inspector of police etc.” as well as “skin and bone merchants, fat merchants, with an oil industry in Nagpur” (p.945).

The Kasai or Kasab are an occupational community of Sunni Muslims…. They have become a caste partly because the ordinary Muslim declines to inter-marry with them and partly, no doubt, in imitation of the Hindu social system. The Kasai are one of the lowest of the Mohammedan castes and will admit into their community even low-caste Hindu converts”. The Kasai are known all over India and are found in all big cities with a population of about 2 crores3…. They have titles like Choudhary. Segedar and Shaki and their most common surnames are Qureshi and Sikku. They speak Urdu with their kith and kin which is written in the Perso-Arabic script. They also know Hindi and Marathi, especially the younger generation (Bhatnagar, B.R. 2004, ‘Kasai’ in People of India. Maharashtra, eds K.S. Singh et. al., 3 vols, Anthropological Survey of India, Popular Prakashan Pvt., Mumbai, pp. 942-947 – Attachment 12). 3. What is the relationship between Hindus, Christians and Muslims in Uttar Pradesh?

3 One ‘crore’ equals ten million (see ‘Crore – definition’ 2008, MSN Encarta Dictionary website http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861601483/crore.html - Accessed 13 January 2009 - Attachment 11). A state wise religious demography of India based on Official Government of India Census Bureau estimates taken in 2001 provide the following figures for Hindu, Christian and Muslim populations located in Uttar Pradesh:

Hindu 133979263 80.61% Muslim 30740158 18.5% Christian 212578 0.13%

(‘India Census 2001 - State wise Religious demography’ 2006, Crusade Watch website, 26 December http://www.crusadewatch.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=580&Itemid= 27 – Accessed 15 January 2009 – Attachment 13).

Information provided in the sources consulted indicates that relations between Hindus, Muslims and Christians are precarious. Communal conflict and religious oriented violence has frequently erupted between these groups, although most incidents appear to involve either Hindus and Muslims or Hindus and Christians. As an article in the Hindustan Times reported, “the emerging patterns of India’s ethnic conflict show that Hindu fundamentalists are against Muslims and Christians.” As regards the relations between Muslims and Christians, however, the article claims “While in the West, Muslims and Christians are at loggerheads, their relationship in India has been largely conflict-free” (Rehman, M. 2008, ‘Orange County’, Hindustan Times, 26 October http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=76 0f768a-8aa8-4da5-a5dc-6499cb4a28f9&&Headline=Orange+County – Accessed 14 January 2009 – Attachment 14).

The UK Home Office January 2008 Country Information Report for India provides examples of Hindu-Muslim conflict in Uttar Pradesh dating back to 1992 when Hindus demolished a Muslim mosque in Ayodyha hoping to replace it with a Hindu temple (UK Home Office 2008, Country of Origin Information Report: India, January, pp.75-76 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/india-310108.doc - Accessed 1 February 2008 – Attachment 1).

Various newspaper reports show that religious conflict and communal violence between Hindus and members of religious minorities such as Muslims and Christians, are a frequent occurrence in Uttar Pradesh today (‘Communal violence in Uttar Pradesh town, 1 dead (Lead)’ 2008, Thaindian News, 7 September www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/communal-violence-in-uttar-pradesh-town-1- dead-lead_10093267.html - Accessed 8 January 2009 – Attachment 15; ‘Police station torched in Uttar Pradesh communal violence’ 2008, Thaindian News, 12 September http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/police-station-torched-in-uttar-pradesh- communal-violence_10095139.html - Accessed 15 January 2009 – Attachment 16; Wunderink, S. 2008, ‘Worse Than Ever’, Christianity Today, 10 September http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/november/3.15.html - Accessed 14 January 2009 – Attachment 17 ; ‘Murder of Muslim youth sparks violence in Uttar Pradesh town’ 2008, Thaindian News, 29 October http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/murder-of- muslim-youth-sparks-violence-in-uttar-pradesh-town_100112738.html - Accessed 8 January 2009 – Attachment 18; ‘Recent Incidents of Persecution’ 2008, Compass Direct, 31 October Attachment 19).

The US State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report 2007 for India states that Hindu violence against Christians frequently stems from allegations of “forced conversions” and “defamation of ” by Hindu nationalist groups such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The report notes that at times police have been involved in harassing or attacking Christians at the behest of VHP members (US State Department, India - International Religious Freedom Report 2007, September, Section II Attachment 20).

In relation to Hindu-Muslim violence, an article in Time argues that as a result of Muslim grievances “India must now face up to a brood of homegrown Islamist terrorists feeding off popular and growing Muslim resentment toward the purported injustices and atrocities of the Hindu majority” (Singh, M. 2008 ‘India: The Terrorists Within’, Time, 27 July http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1826950,00.html – Accessed 8 January 2009 – Attachment 21). These sentiments are echoed in a 2006 report released by Frontline (Swami, P. 2006, ‘Unending War’, Frontline, vol. 23, iss. 1, 14-27 January http://www.flonnet.com/fl2301/stories/20060127006800800.htm - Accessed 9 January 2009 – Attachment 22).

Despite evidence of ongoing tensions and outbreaks of communal violence between these religious groups, two articles in the Thaindian News illustrate that not all Hindus and Muslims live in hatred or fear of each other (see ‘An Uttar Pradesh village where Hindus, Muslims live in one family’ 2007, Thaindian News, 14 November http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/an-uttar-pradesh-village-where-hindus- muslims-live-in-one-family_1001081.html - Accessed 15 January 2009 – Attachment 23; ‘Iftar party at Hanuman temple in Uttar Pradesh’ 2008, Thaindian News, 1 October http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/iftar-party-at-hanuman-temple-in-uttar- pradesh_100102427.html - Accessed 15 January 2009 – Attachment 24).

4. Is there evidence to indicate Uttar Pradesh is the hub of Islamist terrorist activities?

Information provided in the sources consulted suggests that the states of Jammu and Kashmir have long been recognised as hubs of Islamist terrorist activity. However, in recent years Uttar Pradesh has seen a significant rise in terrorist activity and violence by Islamic groups. The South Asian Terrorism Portal website’s assessments of India suggest that the increase in terrorist activity in Uttar Pradesh has occurred in tandem with a gradual decline in terrorist- related violence in Jammu and Kashmir, although these states continue to represent a cause for concern (‘India Assessment – 2007’, South Asian Terrorism Portal website http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/index.html - Accessed 13 January 2009 – Attachment 25; ‘Jammu and Kashmir Assessment – Year 2008’, South Asian Terrorism Portal website http://satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/jandk/index.html - Accessed 13 January 2009 – Attachment 26).

The 2008 assessment for Jammu and Kashmir, for example, states:

The decrease in jihadi violence in J & K has… been paralleled by a shift in the Pakistan- backed Islamist terrorists focus to the Indian heartland, with as many as 140 persons (all civilians) killed in Islamist terrorist attacks outside J&K through 2007, in locations as varied as Varanasi, Lucknow and Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh, Ajmer in Rajasthan, Hyderabad in and Panipat in Haryana. By comparison, 164 civilians were killed in jihadi terrorist attacks in the whole of J&K in 2007 (‘Jammu and Kashmir Assessment – Year 2008’, South Asian Terrorism Portal website http://satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/jandk/index.html - Accessed 13 January 2009 – Attachment 26).

The emergence of Uttar Pradesh as a “terror hub” in India is noted in a January 2008 report by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. This report notes evidence of increasing terrorist activity by Islamist extremist groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat- ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HuJI) in Uttar Pradesh, including a series of bombings, the recovery of quantities of arms from various places in the state, threats against high profile political leaders, and activities by sleeper cells of the Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Commenting on this, the report states:

… it is worth noting that the Intelligence Bureau has issued a warning that the Hapur- Moradabad-Bareilly-Rampur belt in western UP is most vulnerable to terrorist action, given that several terrorist modules are suspected to be operating in these parts.

According to a November 25, 2007 statement issued by the central government, Uttar Pradesh tops the list for the highest number of jihadi attacks – outside of Jammu & Kashmir – in the past few years. Minister for Legislative Affairs, Lalji Verma, stated in the UP Assembly on July 2, 2007 that 34 districts in the state, including Lucknow, face the threat of terrorism.

In response to this emerging threat, the state government has set up 39 special cells, though it appears that these have not so far been as effective as they were expected to be. In late November, the state government established a special Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) with a technical intelligence wing in Lucknow. Chief Minister Mayawati has sanctioned Rs. 67.5 million to purchase sophisticated hi-tech equipment for the team to enable it to meet the advanced techniques used by terrorist groups operating in the state. The ATS will have units located in all police zones including Allahabad, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Meerut and Varanasi. In addition, after the serial blasts in November, the state government has decided to deploy as many as 25,000 Home Guards across the different court premises in the state (Singh, T.K. 2008, ‘Uttar Pradesh Emerging as a Terror Hub’, Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses website, 10 January http://www.idsa.in/publications/stratcomments/TKSingh100108.htm - Accessed 8 January 2008 – Attachment 27).

A news report released by , dated 24 September 2008, mirrors similar concerns that Uttar Pradesh is becoming a terror hub. The report states:

LUCKNOW: Every time a deadly bomb goes off in some part of India and the police begin to investigate, the road to suspects invariably leads to Uttar Pradesh, fast emerging as the biggest terror hub in the country after Jammu & Kashmir. Of the 54 major terror strikes in the country since 2000, at least 45 had a direct link with UP, which itself was rattled by 14 blasts.

…With a large number of young, uneducated and unemployed Muslim youth walking the streets aimlessly, the state has become a fertile ground for breeding terror. Terrorism, according to intelligence sources, began to grow roots in the state in 1985 when Azam Ghauri, a native of Andhra Pradesh, and Abdul Karim Tunda of UP set up a unit to provide logistics support to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Ghauri and Tunda, alongwith a Mumbai doctor, Jalees Ansari, had set off a series of explosions in the country on December 6, 1993 — the first anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. This was the first known LeT strike in the country outside J&K. Since then almost all major terror attacks have had some UP connection.

Terror outfits from UP have made headlines in the neighbouring countries as well. On October 1, 2005, HuJI 'commander' Mufti Abdul Hannan was arrested in Dhaka. During interrogation, Hannan confessed to have been trained in Peshawar (Pakistan) and fought in Afghanistan. But before going to Pakistan, Hannan had spent six years at a seminary in Shahjahanpur district of UP.

Although most of the terrorists from UP have been directly involved in the bomb attacks, some of them have been arrested for their role in other subversive activities like forming sleeper cells and dormant terror modules. In 2007, four persons, including two Hizbul Mujahideen men, were convicted by a Delhi court for possessing explosives and conspiring to wage war against the country. Two of the convicts, who turned out to be active SIMI members, were from Lucknow.

In June 2008, Delhi Police arrested a Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terrorist, Habib-ur-Rehman, for allegedly providing logistics support to two Pakistanis caught with a large cache of ammunition and RDX in Delhi in September 2001. Rehman belongs to Moradabad district of UP.

According to intelligence reports, around 79 incidents of subversive activities were reported from 34 districts, including Lucknow, in UP between 2001 and 2008. Azamgarh, which is now emerging as the latest hotspot on the country's terror map, tops the list of these dubious districts (Siddiqui, P.I. 2008, ‘Uttar Pradesh biggest terror hub after J&K’, The Times of India, 24 September http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Uttar_Pradesh_biggest_terror_hub_after_JK/articleshow/3 520007.cms - Accessed 8 January 2009 – Attachment 28).

According to a September 2008 news report in the Thaindian News, the Bharatiya Janata Party “alleged that Uttar Pradesh was fast turning into a hub of terrorists and members of the banned outfit Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).” The report cites senior BJP leader Kalraj Mishra as saying that the state had “transformed into a centre of unlawful elements” and accusing “the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government of not taking enough measures to counter terror activities in the state” (‘Uttar Pradesh turning into terrorist hub: BJP’ 2008, Thaindian News, 9 September http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/uttar-pradesh-turning-into-terrorist-hub- bjp_10094113.html - Accessed 8 January 2009 – Attachment 29).

Concerns that Uttar Pradesh is becoming a hub of terrorism are also echoed in an article located on the South Asia Analysis Group website, dated 20 September 2008, which states:

The Azamgarh District of Uttar Pradesh is… becoming the breeding ground of India's home- grown jihadi terrorism. Many of those arrested in connection with the investigations into the activities of the IM [Indian Mujahideen] have had an Azamgarh connection. Azamgarh is slowly emerging as India's South Waziristan, a new radiating point of jihadi terrorism. The police is not given a free hand to put an end to this spawning ground. The predominantly Muslim areas of this district are becoming no-go areas for the police----not because the Police do not have the capability to neutralise the emerging jihadi breeding grounds, but because the political leadership will not allow them to use that capability for fear of displeasing the Muslims (Raman, B. 2008, ‘Jihadis hold India to ransom - International Terrorism Monitor -- Paper no. 446’, South Asia Analysis Group website, 20 September http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers29/paper2850.html - Accessed 9 January 2009 – Attachment 30).

5. Is there a recognised Muslim/land mafia in Uttar Pradesh?

i. Muslim mafia

In the sources consulted limited information was found relating to the Muslim mafia in Uttar Pradesh. Nevertheless, some references were found providing evidence of a recognised Muslim mafia operating within the state. For example, a February 2008 article published on Cobra Post, discusses the nature of community politics leading to the growth of various mafia, including “a powerful and ambitious Muslim mafia” in eastern Uttar Pradesh’s Mau district (Rawat, V.B. 2006, ‘Revisiting Mau’, Cobra Post, 27 February http://www.cobrapost.com/documents/revisiting_mau.html - Accessed 9 January 2009 – Attachment 31).

References to Muslim mafia are also made in the above-mentioned article entitled ‘Jihadis hold India to ransom’ located on the South Asia Analysis Group website, which states:

The Azamgarh District of Uttar Pradesh is not located in a remote area of the country where the Police cannot reach. It is in the heart of India. It was previously the Sicily of India from which many of the Muslim mafia leaders, narcotics smugglers and other criminals emerged (Raman, B. 2008, ‘Jihadis hold India to ransom - International Terrorism Monitor -- Paper no. 446’, South Asia Analysis Group website, 20 September http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers29/paper2850.html - Accessed 9 January 2009 – Attachment 30).

ii. Land mafia

References to the activities of land mafia in Uttar Pradesh can be found in various newspaper articles. An October 2008 report in The Times of India cites Senior Superintendent of Police Akhil Kumar as stating that there are thirty-five mafia leaders operating in the state capital of Lucknow, along with their aides. The report states:

As per the police station records, there are a total of 12 land mafia leaders with their 33 aides besides four white-collar leaders and their 11 aides. In the category of mafia leaders, there is one each in the mining, contractors and transport category with their aides numbering four, five and three respectively. There are other 16 remaining mafia leaders along with their 53 aides. Akhil said that a resident of Gomtinagar, KD Singh will also be included in the list of registered mafia in the city [bolding added] (‘Drive kicked off against mafia elements’ 2008, The Times of India, 24 October – Attachment 32).

Accounts of how the land mafia operate in Uttar Pradesh and inquiries into a “police-mafia nexus” were reported over a decade ago (see Ahmed, F, 1998, ‘In the Grip of the Mafia’, India Today, 2 February http://www.india-today.com/itoday/02021998/up.html - Accessed 9 January 2009 – Attachment 33; Misra, S. 1999, ‘The Living Dead’, India Today, 22 March http://www.indiatodaygroup.com/itoday/22031999/up.html - Accessed 9 January 2009 – Attachment 34). However, information available in the sources consulted indicates that these problems continue to exist.

For example, an article released on The South Asian website in February 2005 illustrates the problem of land grabbing by local land mafia. It accuses the state government of both allowing this to take place and actively prosecuting groups resisting ‘land grabs’.

…the government has done nothing to challenge the grabbing of over 10000 hectares of land in Lakhimpur Khiri district by the local land mafia. In fact, it has actively prosecuted groups resisting the land grab.

In one case, 104 acres was given to 52 Dalit and Muslim landless families in 1957 after Zamindari Abolition Act on a 9 year lease. During this allotment, the landlords who owned the land at that time, illegally sold the land to Deedar Singh. Thus, there arose a dispute between the landless families and Deedar Singh.

In the interim, Deedar Singh was declared deceased and the land has been taken over by Kulwant Singh, who claimed to be his successor.

It is a small matter that Deedar Singh is alive and while protesting the high-handedness of the bureaucracy in handling this case was arrested on 4th Feb, 2005. On 15/10/2002 9 Dalit and Muslim landless women were beaten up when they protested forcible harvesting of their crops by Kulwant Singh and his associates. No action taken against on FIR4 lodged against Kulwant Singh.

On 26/10/2002 the illegal transfer of the land to Kulwant Singh was cancelled.

On 28/6/2004 Kulwant Singh and associates injured 6 landless labourers by firing on them. No action taken on FIR lodged against Kulwant Singh. A false FIR was lodged by Kulwant Singh against Kranti K. Singh, State Committee member of CPI(ML) [Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation] who is part of a group opposing the land grab and 40 others. In addition, Gangster Act was imposed on Kranti and Ram Daras, leaders of CPI(ML).

On 6/8/2004 FIR was lodged against Avtar Singh, another land mafia, who had forcibly sterilized 5 landless labourers in order to get a license for firearm.

Meanwhile, 16 government officers including 6 sebior [sic] District Magistrates have been suspended as part of investigations into a Public Distribution System Scam worth over $2 million. It is not a coincidence that this scam was centered around Lakhimpur Khiri district. In this inquiry it was found that the food grains was not distributed in villages for many months though the district supply officer always certified that food grains was being distributed in the villages. The inquiry report said that the total staff of Lakhimpur district worked in organised manner and the food grains costing about Rs. 09 crore was disappeared.

On 18th January, 2005 there was a demonstration in Palia against the land mafia and its role in the food scam. Demonstrators demanded a CBI inquiry. However, police tried to disperse this demonstration and demonstrators were threatened with action vis-à-vis National Security Act laws.

On 4th February, 2005 there was a demonstration demanding inquiry of the dealings of the land mafia. Ajanta Lohit, Allauddin Shashtri and 84 others were arrested from the demonstration site. On 8th February 73 people were released but Ajanta and 10 others still continue to languish in jail on false charges.

Samiuddin 'Nilu', a journalist for the local daily “Amar Ujala” who was reporting on this story was arrested on 9th February, 2005 under false charges of smuggling under Wildlife Act.

4 F.I.R. is the abbreviated form of First Information Report. It is the information recorded by the police officer on duty, given either by the aggrieved person or any other person about the commission of an alleged offence. On the basis of the F.I.R. the police commences its investigation (‘F.I.R. – definition’ 2003, Helplinelaw website http://www.helplinelaw.com/docs/fir/fir.php - Accessed 14 January 2009 - Attachment 35). Local journalists and groups resisting land grab began a series of demonstrations that has resulted in the release of all those who were arrested. However, Kranti Singh has been threatened with an ‘encounter’ by the Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur Khiri.

It is ironic that the state government and its bureaucracy continues to target those opposing the land grab even as those involved in millions of dollars worth corruption continue to be free and exploitation by the land mafia continues unabated (‘In Uttar Pradesh, the Land Mafia Rules’ 2005, The South Asian website, 24 February http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2005/in_uttar_pradesh_the_land_mafi.html - Accessed 9 January 2009 – Attachment 36).

Information available in other news reports provides insights into reasons the government might either ‘turn a blind eye’ to the activities of land mafia or actively prosecute those who resist. Such reasons include the strong interconnections between crime and politics in Uttar Pradesh and the fact that a number of political parties, including the ruling BSP, contain significant numbers of candidates who have mafia connections or criminal charges (e.g. for murder, corruption, gang war) pending against them (Tripathi, M. 2009, ‘Mafia rules the roost’, The Times of India, 5 January – Attachment 37; Pandey, G. 2007, ‘Politics and the barrel of the gun’, BBC News, 7 May http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6606591.stm - Accessed 7 January 2009 – Attachment 38; Pandey, G. 2007, ‘Uttar Pradesh CM “will end crime”’, BBC News, 25 May http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6690995.stm - Accessed 7 January 2009 - Attachment 39).

6. Does Uttar Pradesh have recognised landholding/titles system?

Although little information could be found on the landholding/titles system in Uttar Pradesh specifically, information regarding the national Indian landholding/titles system is provided in government documents relating to the ‘National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP)’. One such document, which outlines a decision by the Indian government to implement the NLRMP, draws attention to problems within the existing system of land records management. In doing so, it notes that “the systems of land records management vary from State to State, often even with a State, depending upon their historical evolution and local traditions.” The report outlines changes the NLRMP programme would introduce in order to regulate and computerize land records management nationally. These changes involve merging “the two existing Centrally-sponsored schemes of Computerization of Land Records (CLR) and Strengthening of Revenue Administration & Updating of Land Records (SRA&ULR) and to replace them with a modified Centrally-sponsored scheme in the shape of the National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP), with the ultimate goal of ushering in the system of conclusive titles with title guarantee in the country” (Government of India Ministry of Rural Development 2008, ‘National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) -2008’, Department of Land Resources website http://dolr.nic.in/NLRMP-2008.pdf - Accessed 9 January 2009 – Attachment 40).

A press release by the Ministry of Rural Development discussing the NLRMP describes the prevailing system in India, stating:

In India, the system prevailing is that of presumptive titles only, where the documents of title are not certified by the state, and thus they remain private documents and don’t get the status of public records that have evidentiary value under the provisions of the Evidence Act, and the right of the owner to the title to land remains presumptive only. The Registration Act, 1908 provides for registration of deeds and documents but not registration of titles, and even though the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 mandates compulsory registration of transfer of immovable property, lack of state guarantee of title to land contributes to the unsatisfactory state of affairs in conveyancing in the country.

Ultimately, the report states, the government aimed to replace this system with the system of “Conclusive Titles”, which is followed in many advanced countries:

Dr Singh [Union Rural Development Minister] said the ultimate goal of the NLRMP is to replace the present system of registration of deeds and documents as provided for in the Registration Act…. Once some substantial progress is made in implementing the programme, the country can switch to the system of “Conclusive Titles” as followed in most advanced and some of the developing countries. The system of “Conclusive Titles” functions on 4 basic principles: (i) a single agency to handle land records (including the maintenance and updating of the textual records, maps, survey and settlement operations, registration of immovable property mutations, etc.); (ii) the “mirror” principle, which states that at any given moment, the land records mirror the ground reality; (iii) the “curtain” principle, which refers to the fact that the record of title is a true depiction of the ownership status, mutation is automatic following registration, there is no need for probing into past title transactions, and title is a conclusive proof of ownership; and (iv) title insurance, which refers to the fact that the title is guaranteed for its correctness and the party concerned is indemnified against any loss arising because of inaccuracy in this regard. At the moment, land records in India do not reflect any of these principles (Government of India Ministry of Rural Development 2008, ‘Implemention [sic] of National Land Records Modenization [sic] Programme (NLRMP): Key to various land related issues - Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh’, Press Information Bureau website, 26 August http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=41929 – Accessed 9 January 2009 – Attachment 41).

7. Does Uttar Pradesh offer protection to Hindus?

Limited information was found in the sources consulted relating to the question of whether Uttar Pradesh offers protection to Hindus. However, a 2008 Asian Centre for Human Rights (AHRC) 2008 states:

In 2007, Uttar Pradesh was the worst violator of human rights in India. Home Minister Shivraj Patil informed the Lok Sabha on 27 November 2007 that a total of 31,096 human rights violations were reported in India during 2006-2007 and Uttar Pradesh accounted for 21,899 or nearly 66% of all cases in India. On 1 December 2007, then Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Shivaraj Patil stated that the majority of the 82,000 complaints received by NHRC in 2007 were from Uttar Pradesh, followed by Bihar and Delhi.

The report provides examples of extrajudicial killings, custodial killings, arbitrary arrests, illegal detention and torture by police in Uttar Pradesh. However, it does not indicate to which religious group victims belong except in the case of low-caste Dalits, the majority of whom are Hindu. Prior to describing specific incidents of violence committed against Dalits, often by members of upper caste groups, the report states:

The condition of Dalits remained deplorable. Apart from killings, rapes and caste-based discrimination, Dalits in the state were subjected to particularly unusual barbarity including the cutting off of tongues and gouging out of eyes. Dalit women continued to be subjected to high levels of caste violence.

The National Crimes Record Bureau of the Ministry of Home Affairs recorded a total of 4,960 cases against the Dalits in Uttar Pradesh during 2006 including 318 were cases of killing and 229 cases of rape.

The report notes “Often the police connive with the upper castes in committing the crimes” (Asian Centre for Human Rights 2008, ‘India Human Rights Report 2008’, ACHR website, December, pp.150-154 - Attachment 42).

Further reports by government and non-government organisations also suggest that inadequate state protection is offered to Dalits by the Indian government. For example, the Human Rights Watch World Report 2006 states:

Although caste-based abuses are forbidden under Indian law, and the government has embarked upon consultations to protect the rights of Dalits, other marginalized castes, and vulnerable communities, the government has failed to eradicate prejudice, particularly in rural areas. In a May 2005 report, After the Deluge, Human Rights Watch documented numerous instances in which higher-caste communities refused to share post-tsunami emergency relief with Dalits. Ongoing abuses against Dalits include harassment, excessive force by security forces in routine matters, mutilations, and killings by members of other castes for attempting to cross caste barriers. For example, in September 2005, more than fifty Dalit homes were burned down by the upper-caste Jat community in Haryana state (Human Rights Watch 2006, Human Rights Watch World Report 2006, 18 January Attachment 43).

The UK Home Office Country of Origin Information Report: India, dated August 2008, cites a report by Human Rights Watch, published in February 2007 and entitled “Hidden Apartheid – Caste Discrimination against India’s ‘Untouchables’”, which states:

Under-educated, severely impoverished, and brutally exploited, Dalits struggle to provide even their most basic daily needs. Dalits must also endure daily threats to their physical security from both state and private actors. The violence by upper-caste groups against Dalits have two major causes: the ‘untouchability’ and discrimination upper-caste community members practice on a daily basis and the desire of upper-caste community members to protect their own entrenched status by preventing Dalit development and the fulfilment of Dalits’ rights. A review of the political, social, economic, and cultural status of Dalits in India shows the State Party to be in violation of its obligation to respect, protect, and ensure Convention [UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination] rights to all individuals in its jurisdiction. India routinely denies Dalits the rights and privileges that many of its other citizens take for granted. [26a] (p111) (UK Home Office 2008, Country of Origin Information Report: India, August, p.74 - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/india-210808.doc - Accessed 1 February 2008 - Attachment 44).

US Department of State 2008, India - International Religious Freedom Report 2008 states that some Dalits have converted from Hinduism to other religious groups, ostensibly to escape widespread discrimination (US Department of State 2008, India - International Religious Freedom Report 2008, September, Section I - Accessed 22 September 2008 - Attachment 45).

8. Where is Faridabad located in relation to Agra?

The Encarta World Atlas map shows Agra, Uttar Pradesh to be approximately 150 km southeast of Faridabad, which is located in the state of Haryana.

Source: ‘Map of Uttar Pradesh province’ 2009, Encarta Interactive World Atlas 2000 – Attachment 46).

List of Sources Consulted

Internet Sources:

Government Information & Reports UK Home Office http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk US Department of State http://www.state.gov Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/ United Nations (UN) UNHCR Refworld http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain Non-Government Organisations Amnesty International http://www.amnesty.org/ Human Rights Watch (HRW) http://www.hrw.org/ Freedom House www.freedomhouse.org/ Asian Human Rights Commission http://www.ahrchk.net/index.php International News & Politics BBC News website http://news.bbc.co.uk/ Compass Direct News www.compassdirect.org/ Time www.Time.com Christianity Today www.christianitytoday.com/ Region Specific Links Indian Elections website http://www.indian-elections.com/index.html Government of India National Commission for Backward Classes website http://ncbc.nic.in/ Government of India Ministry of Rural Development Department of Land Resources website http://dolr.nic.in/ Government of India Ministry of Law and Justice website http://lawmin.nic.in/ Government of India Ministry of Tourism website http://www.tourisminindia.com/ South Asia Analysis Group website www.southasiaanalysis.org/ South Asian Terrorism Portal website www.satp.org/ India Today Group Online http://indiatodaygroup.com/ Thaindian News http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/ The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ Frontline http://www.flonnet.com/index.htm Hindustan Times www.hindustantimes.com/ Cobra Post www.cobrapost.com/ India Today http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/ The South Asian website http://www.thesouthasian.org/ Crusade Watch website http://www.crusadewatch.org/ World Culture Encyclopedia website www.everyculture.com/South-Asia/index.html Search Engines Google search engine http://www.google.com.au/ Copernic http://www.copernic.com/

Databases:

FACTIVA (news database) BACIS (DIAC Country Information database) REFINFO (IRBDC (Canada) Country Information database) ISYS (RRT Research & Information database, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, US Department of State Reports) RRT Library Catalogue

List of Attachments

1. UK Home Office 2008, Country of Origin Information Report: India, January.

2. ‘Dalit’ 2009, Encyclopædia Britannica Online, 12 January http://search.eb.com/eb/article- 9391463 - Accessed 12 January 2009.

3. ‘India – caste’ 2009, Encyclopædia Britannica Online, 13 January http://search.eb.com/eb/article-46404 – Accessed 13 January 2009.

4. ‘Know your political party: Bahujan Samaj Party’ 2008, Indian Elections 2009 website, 14 December http://indianelections09.umbc.edu/analysis/?p=948 – Accessed 9 January 2009.

5. Nayyar, D. 2007, ‘There’s Something About Maya: Changing Politics In India’s Largest State’, ISAS Brief No. 8, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, 17 May http://www.isasnus.org/events/backgroundbriefs/9.pdf - Accessed 9 January 2009.

6. Roy, R.R. 2008, ‘Mayawati-Congress battle is all over Dalit votes’, Thaindian News, 23 April http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/mayawati-congress-battle-is-all-over- dalit-votes_10041001.html - Accessed 13 January 2009.

7. ‘Jatav – Orientation’ 2008, World Culture Encyclopedia website http://www.everyculture.com/South-Asia/Jatav-Orientation.html - Accessed 8 January 2009.

8. ‘Jatav – Sociopolitical Organization’ 2008, World Culture Encyclopedia website http://www.everyculture.com/South-Asia/Jatav-Sociopolitical-Organization.html - Accessed 8 January 2009.

9. Sardesai, R. 2007 ‘Lady in Waiting’, Hindustan Times, 26 April http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=b19b5fe3-ba31-46c9- 88b5-68c35cb9cbef&&Headline=Lady+in+waiting – Accessed 12 January 2009.

10. ‘Central List of Other Backward Classes – Uttar Pradesh’, Government of India National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) website http://ncbc.nic.in/backward- classes/up.html - Accessed 13 January 2009.

11. ‘Crore – definition’ 2008, MSN Encarta Dictionary website http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861601483/crore.html - Accessed 13 January 2009.

12. Bhatnagar, B.R. 2004, ‘Kasai’ in People of India. Maharashtra, eds K.S. Singh et. al., 3 vols, Anthropological Survey of India, Popular Prakashan Pvt., Mumbai.

13. ‘India Census 2001 - State wise Religious demography’ 2006, Crusade Watch website, 26 December http://www.crusadewatch.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=580&Item id=27 – Accessed 15 January 2009.

14. Rehman, M. 2008, ‘Orange County’, Hindustan Times, 26 October http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id =760f768a-8aa8-4da5-a5dc-6499cb4a28f9&&Headline=Orange+County – Accessed 14 January 2009.

15. ‘Communal violence in Uttar Pradesh town, 1 dead (Lead)’ 2008, Thaindian News, 7 September www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/communal-violence-in-uttar- pradesh-town-1-dead-lead_10093267.html - Accessed 8 January 2009.

16. ‘Police station torched in Uttar Pradesh communal violence’ 2008, Thaindian News, 12 September http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/police-station-torched-in- uttar-pradesh-communal-violence_10095139.html - Accessed 15 January 2009.

17. Wunderink, S. 2008, ‘Worse Than Ever’, Christianity Today, 10 September http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/november/3.15.html - Accessed 14 January 2009.

18. ‘Murder of Muslim youth sparks violence in Uttar Pradesh town’ 2008, Thaindian News, 29 October http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/murder-of-muslim- youth-sparks-violence-in-uttar-pradesh-town_100112738.html - Accessed 8 January 2009.

19. ‘Recent Incidents of Persecution’ 2008, Compass Direct, 31 October. (CISNET India CX213482)

20. US State Department, India - International Religious Freedom Report 2007, September, Section II.

21. Singh, M. 2008 ‘India: The Terrorists Within’, Time, 27 July http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1826950,00.html – Accessed 8 January 2009.

22. Swami, P. 2006, ‘Unending War’, Frontline, vol. 23, iss. 1, 14-27 January http://www.flonnet.com/fl2301/stories/20060127006800800.htm - Accessed 9 January 2009.

23. ‘An Uttar Pradesh village where Hindus, Muslims live in one family’ 2007, Thaindian News, 14 November http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/an-uttar-pradesh- village-where-hindus-muslims-live-in-one-family_1001081.html - Accessed 15 January 2009.

24. ‘Iftar party at Hanuman temple in Uttar Pradesh’ 2008, Thaindian News, 1 October http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/iftar-party-at-hanuman-temple-in- uttar-pradesh_100102427.html - Accessed 15 January 2009.

25. ‘India Assessment – 2007’, South Asian Terrorism Portal website http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/index.html - Accessed 13 January 2009.

26. ‘Jammu and Kashmir Assessment – Year 2008’, South Asian Terrorism Portal website http://satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/jandk/index.html - Accessed 13 January 2009.

27. Singh, T.K. 2008, ‘Uttar Pradesh Emerging as a Terror Hub’, Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses, 10 January http://www.idsa.in/publications/stratcomments/TKSingh100108.htm - Accessed 8 January 2008.

28. Siddiqui, P.I. 2008, ‘Uttar Pradesh biggest terror hub after J&K’, The Times of India, 24 September http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Uttar_Pradesh_biggest_terror_hub_after_JK/articlesho w/3520007.cms - Accessed 8 January 2009.

29. ‘Uttar Pradesh turning into terrorist hub: BJP’ 2008, Thaindian News, 9 September http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/uttar-pradesh-turning-into-terrorist- hub-bjp_10094113.html - Accessed 8 January 2009.

30. Raman, B. 2008, ‘Jihadis hold India to ransom - International Terrorism Monitor -- Paper no. 446’, South Asia Analysis Group website, 20 September http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers29/paper2850.html - Accessed 9 January 2009.

31. Rawat, V.B. 2006, ‘Revisiting Mau’, Cobra Post, 27 February http://www.cobrapost.com/documents/revisiting_mau.html - Accessed 9 January 2009.

32. ‘Drive kicked off against mafia elements’ 2008, The Times of India, 24 October. (FACTIVA)

33. Ahmed, F, 1998, ‘In the Grip of the Mafia’, India Today, 2 February http://www.india- today.com/itoday/02021998/up.html - Accessed 9 January 2009.

34. Misra, S. 1999, ‘The Living Dead’, India Today, 22 March http://www.indiatodaygroup.com/itoday/22031999/up.html - Accessed 9 January 2009.

35. ‘F.I.R. – definition’ 2003, Helplinelaw website http://www.helplinelaw.com/docs/fir/fir.php - Accessed 14 January 2009.

36. ‘In Uttar Pradesh, the Land Mafia Rules’ 2005, The South Asian website, 24 February http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2005/in_uttar_pradesh_the_land_mafi.html - Accessed 9 January 2009.

37. Tripathi, M. 2009, ‘Mafia rules the roost’, The Times of India, 5 January. (FACTIVA)

38. Pandey, G. 2007, ‘Politics and the barrel of the gun’, BBC News, 7 May http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6606591.stm - Accessed 7 January 2009.

39. Pandey, G. 2007, ‘Uttar Pradesh CM “will end crime”’, BBC News, 25 May http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6690995.stm - Accessed 7 January 2009.

40. Government of India Ministry of Rural Development 2008, ‘National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) -2008’, Department of Land Resources website http://dolr.nic.in/NLRMP-2008.pdf - Accessed 9 January 2009.

41. Government of India Ministry of Rural Development 2008, ‘Implemention [sic] of National Land Records Modenization [sic] Programme (NLRMP): Key to various land related issues - Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh’, Press Information Bureau website, 26 August http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=41929 – Accessed 9 January 2009.

42. UK Home Office 2008, Country of Origin Information Report: India, August.

43. US Department of State 2008, India - International Religious Freedom Report 2008, September.

44. Human Rights Watch 2006, Human Rights Watch World Report 2006, 18 January. (CISNET India CX145077)

45. Asian Centre for Human Rights 2008, ‘India Human Rights Report 2008’, ACHR website, December.

46. ‘Map of Uttar Pradesh province’ 2009, Encarta Interactive World Atlas 2000.