Three days after a family from the frontier district of Kupwara staged a protest in Srinagar accusing the Army of picking up their son and then saying he escaped from custody, National Conference MP called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and sought his intervention into the matter.
NC MP Justice Masoodi, according to the NC statement, asked the Union Defence Minister to intervene in the case and help the family trace their son amidst serious apprehensions about his safety.
“The army's version of the disappearance is unconvincing and inconsistent with that of the family, who do not believe that he could have escaped from the camp, where hundreds of forces are deployed. A sinking feeling of panic has gripped the family and the entire area,” the NC leader told the Defence Minister.
“I gave the defense minister all the details as appeared in the press and sought his intervention. The defense minister said he will look into the matter. I am trying to meet him again regarding this case,” Masoodi said.
On Wednesday the family members of Abdul Rashid Dar of Konanposhpora village staged a protest in Srinagar accusing the army of picking up Dar from his home and later saying he fled from their custody.
They said, Dar, who drives a mini load carrier to make a living, was having dinner along with other family members at about 8:00 pm last Thursday when a team of Army Rashtriya Rifles unit posted in Trehgam knocked at the door of his house.
“My uncle opened the door and saw the army there. The Army sought the custody of my maternal uncle Abdul Rashid Dar,” niece of Dar told reporters during the protest.
Dar's wailing mother Khera Begum told reporters she pleaded with the Army not to take her son along. “We had a guest in our house who also works with the army. They didn’t even listen to him,” she said.
She said they told the Army not to hurt him as he had undergone some surgery. “I hugged my son and then they took him along,” she said. She said next day when they went to the Army camp, the Army told them to come at 4 p.m. “At 4 p.m. we were told he escaped,” Dar’s mother said. “When the Army came to our home they came in seven vehicles. They had cordoned the whole area. How come he escaped from their custody,” she said.
“I want to see my son’s face,” she said.
The police version
Senior Superintendent of Kupwara, Yougal Manhas, told reporters in Kupwara that Dar was picked up by the Army for a terrorism-related investigation. He said during the preliminary inquiry he disclosed some hideout and when the Army was taking him there he slipped out. “We are continuing our search (to trace him). We have got some clues. We are also working on what circumstances he has slipped from there. We have also talked to his family and if they have any other apprehensions they will be also looked into.”
Mehbooba worried
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said a man who was detained by Army has allegedly escaped from their custody and is now missing. “Worrying that a civilian goes missing in Army custody. Request the Core Commander to kindly intervene,” Mehbooba said.
