Seeking LG Manoj Sinha’s intervention, a family from north Kashmir’s Kunan Poshpora staged a protest at Srinagar’s press colony alleging that the Indian Army detained a local resident (driver by profession) on 15 December, who has not been released yet.
The mother of the arrested, Abdul Rashid Dar son of Mohammed Sidique Dar, said that he was having dinner at his home when the Army raided the house and detained him without any reason. “They (Army) did not tell any of the family members the reason why he (Rashid) was being detained. I tried to plead with the Army that my son was innocent, but they snatched him away from me. I followed them to the Police station and in the meanwhile, my daughter got the local Sarpanch to the Police station,” she said.
She said that they (the mother and local Sarpanch) handed over Abdul Rashid to the Army on 15 December, after they (Army) said he (Abdul Rashid) was needed for questioning. “I looked at my son and held him tight as tears rolled down his cheeks. I told him that the Army officer had assured me that he will be out soon. The officer whisked him away in his vehicle after promising me that he will hand my child to me at 10 AM the next morning,” the mother said.
Hilal Ahmed Dar, the brother of the arrested said that they contacted the Army officer through various DDC members, however, the concerned officer delayed meeting the family for one or the other reason.
When the mother went to the camp the next day, i.e., 16 December, she was told to return at 4 PM as some questioning was going on, she said. “When I returned to the camp at 4, some Army men told me that my son had escaped from custody,” she said.
The family went to the Local Police station to complain regarding the entire issue and they have been assured full help, as per the family members.
Appealing to the LG Manoj-Sinha led administration and Police for timely intervention, the family members said that their brother was in the Army custody and he should be immediately released.
Meanwhile, the Government forces have issued a notice stating that the person Abdul Rashid Dar is missing. They also issued phone numbers for helping them locate the person.
“Contact SHO Trehgam 9596333888 or Town commander 8493014107, if you have any information on the missing person,” the Army said in its notice circulated online.