Families vouch for innocence of Kashmir youth detained in UP

SRINAGAR — It was virtually mourning in a Kulgam family on Friday after they learnt that their son Shahnawaz Ahmed has been picked up by UP Police from Devbangh Darooul Aloom.

Uttar Pradesh Police chief, OP Singh claimed that they arrested two persons from Kashmir named as Shahnawaz Ahmad and Aqib Ahmad Malik and recovered weapons from them. The family of Shahnawaz contested police claim saying he is innocent and his name figures nowhere in police records across Kashmir Valley.

Shahnawaz Ahmed who hails from Nunmai Kulgam, according to family, has taken admission in Devbandh Darul Aloom in 2016-17 for Mufti Course. “My son completed his graduation in 2010 and after that, he took admission at a Darul Aloom in Sopore. He is very religious and was keen to complete Mufti Course. Accordingly, he got admission at Devbandh UP,” Mubeena, mother of Shahnawaz said.

Ghulam Hasan Teli, a carpenter by profession virtually fainted after he heard about the arrest of his son. “You can visit every police station in Kashmir, you will not find the name of my son figuring anywhere. He is religious and that is his crime,” he said.

He said his son is frail who is only concerned with theology. “UP Police really gave us a shock. We urge upon administration to look into the matter and ensure that innocents are not trapped in fabricated cases,” he said, adding that his son went back to Devbandh in December last year after spending some days at home.

Both the brothers of Shahnawaz are graduates and his two sisters are also pursuing higher education. They said that their brother is innocent and should be released without any delay.

The family of another youth, Aqib Ahmed Malik son of Muhammad Akbar from Chandgam (Babgam) Pulwama also contested UP Police claim stating that Aqib is innocent and has nothing to do with militancy or stone-pelting incidents.

“We are shocked to learn Aqib is affiliated with Jaish-e-Muhammad. We request UP Police to investigate the matter before giving a militant tag to innocent youth,” the family said. (CNS)