Murtaza Bilal
The family of 35-year-old Umar Yaseen Shah, a resident of Railway Colony, Nowgam, Srinagar, staged a protest outside their home today, demanding justice and a thorough investigation into his death.
Umar was reported missing on December 22, 2024, and his body was discovered on December 30, 2024, in a deep gorge at Digdool, Ramban, alongside his black Mahindra Thar vehicle (registration number JK01AN 9990).
Umar was last seen traveling from Srinagar to Jammu on the day he went missing. His family filed a missing person report at the Nowgam Police Station and expressed deep concern over his disappearance.
After his body was found, it was transported to Ramban Hospital for medico-legal formalities before being returned to the family on December 31, 2024, for his last rites.
However, the family has raised serious allegations, claiming that Umar’s death was not an accident but a staged murder.
They question why he was not found during the first seven days of his disappearance, despite the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway being a busy 24/7 route.
The family suspects that Umar may have been held hostage during this time and killed only after they approached the media and police, which made it risky for the perpetrators to release him alive.
“We demand justice for Umar. This is not an accident; it’s a murder. The postmortem report has not been issued yet, and we want a proper investigation to uncover the truth,” said a family member during the protest.
The family has called for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Umar, who was unmarried, is survived by his parents and a sister. The family’s protest reflects their anguish and determination to find answers.
They have urged authorities to expedite the investigation and ensure accountability for the perpetrators.
As the protest continues, the family remains resolute in their pursuit of justice, holding placards that read, “We Demand Justice” and “Constitute SIT Investigation.”