Fizala Khan
On the 18th of July, a day after an encounter raged in Shopian’s Amshipora, three ‘alleged’ militants were shot by the armed forces. Now, nearly after three months, the bodies of the killed labourers are being exhumed and are very soon to be handed over to their respective families, according to IGP – Kashmir, Vijay Kumar.
The statement comes amid persistent demand from the poor families, seeking bodies of the trio – Abrar Ahmed (25), Imtiyaz Ahmed (20) and Mohammed Ibrar (16) and immediate arrest along with stern punishment to those behind the killings.
Mohammad Yousuf, father of Abrar Ahmed (25) spoke to The Kashmiriyat and said, “I have not been contacted by the authorities as of now, but I am hopeful that they might contact us in 2-3 days. We will then perform all rituals and prepare for the funeral of our boys according to Islamic ways.”
“My only demand from the incipience of our struggle was to bring justice to my boy, I wanted to bring back their bodies because they were innocent. They were simple labourers, who were only trying to earn for their families and provide for them. I do not know if they were killed out of hatred or was it misuse of power, I lost my son and that is all that I know,” he said.
“It felt devastating, the absence of my son eats me alive everyday, my son was murdered and I only want his body in return. It was because of everyone who struggled along with our families to voice our truth and helped our families. Had my son not been innocent, I would not have mourned his death. But, I live to see my grandson and my daughter – in – law in pain everyday. I do not wish this nightmare upon anyone,” he told The Kashmiriyat.
The inquiry had prima – facie indicated that the three unidentified youth were killed under ‘misconduct’ of power. The Army has found that those killed in the ‘fake’ encounter were indeed from Rajouri, as their families had claimed and that during the operation, powers vested under the AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) from 1990, were exceeded.
Two suspects were also arrested by Jammu Kashmir Police in relation of the case and more suspects and civilians will be called in for inquiry.
The trio had left their residence on the 17th of July, from Dhar Sakri village in Kotranka of Rajouri district – Poonch, in search of livelihood and wage to support their families during the lock down in this pandemic. The trio were then killed in an ‘alleged’ – misinformed encounter at their rented residence on the 18th after which, they were buried without any identification in Baramulla. The bodies of the killed were identified by the families on the 12th of August.
Families of the slained has since fought and demanded that the investigation proceedings must be made public and compensation mechanism is not what they want.
Mohammad Yousuf further added that, “I want to see the murderers of my son in front of me and I want to ask them, why did they kill my son ? What was his fault ? There was no need to shoot them if they were innocent. I just want the body of my son back. I want his grave in front of me, my grandson should grow up to see that his father existed.”
Talking about moving forward with their lives as the families of the killed mourn in silence, Mohammed Yousuf said, “Both light and dark, happiness and sadness go hand in hand, I pray and I hope no one fathoms the reality we live in, every day. No father should live to be as helpless and silent as I am, waiting for the dead body of his child to return.”
The bodies may soon be returned, after the legal proceedings for the case are completed. The families of the trio are still waiting to hear from the officials.