J&K Police justifies detention of slain militant’s mother

SHOPIAN — Police have arrested the mother of a slain militant Tauseef Ahmed in south Kashmir’s Shopian district while it says the sister of the slain militant is too wanted in an FIR registered against the mother-daughter duo.

Tauseef was killed along with Hizb commander Saddam Paddar and Kashmir University Professor, Muhammad Rafi in Badigam Zainapora area of Shopian in May 2018. Five militants were killed in that bloody encounter.

Police said that the mother of slain militant, Naseema Banoo of Rampora Qaimoh was arrested on June 20 in a criminal case. “An FIR vide number 30 of 2018 under Sections 13B, 17, 18, 18B, 19, 39 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act stands registered in this regard.”

Police said the arrest was done in compliance of provisions of law and she has been under legally sanctioned custody in women police station Anantnag ever since her arrest.

Police said that the arrested person is involved in a serious criminal case. “The photo of the arrested woman in which she is toting an automatic weapon and posing next to her son, who was an active militant at the time, speaks it all.”

“The photo is just the beginning of her criminal involvements. She is involved in much more serious offences and her role has surfaced in recruiting at least two youth into militant ranks, arranging arms ammunition, communication and logistics for militants and militant organizations,” police said.

“Just because she happens to be a woman or the mother of a killed militant does not make her immune to arrest. It is the prime duty of the police to arrest criminals to safeguard the people it serves and that is what it has done. Anyone who wishes to challenge the decision is free to approach the court of law for redressal,” police said.

Police further said that many social media posts have been generated and shared which have twisted the facts of the matter in order to cause disturbance of peace and tranquility. “Police has taken cognizance of the matter and anyone trying to instigate others through whatsoever means will be prosecuted.”