Babar Rather/Raqeeb Bhatt
Srinagar, Dec 31 : The family of Rajpora youth killed in Lawaypora area of Srinagar outskirts on Wednesday claimed that their son was innocent and was killed in a fake encounter by security forces. Athar Mushtaq Wani, Aijaz Ahmad Ganaie and Zubair Lone of Pulwama and Shopian districts were killed, as per police, in an encounter in Lawaypora in Srinagar outskirts. But the families allege that their sons had left home on Tuesday to submit exam form and were killed in a fake encounter by security forces.
Mohammed Shafi Wani, 50, the uncle of the slain Athar Mushtaq Wani said that Athar was studying in 11 standard and was preparing for his last paper which was scheduled to be held on 31 December reported news agency KDC.
He said Athar had no links with any militant groups or was involved in any case in police records.”The last call we received from Athar was on Tuesday late afternoon in which he told us not to worry about him as he is in Srinagar and he may be late. If the slain trio would have joined any militant outfit or were trapped in an encounter, they would have contacted their families in. This is totally a fake encounter,” he said.
“They have broken our back. They have left us devastated, there will be no torch bearer for our family,” Shafi said. Athar’s father, Mushtaq Ahmed Wani, said: “If my son were an associate or a worker of militants, then there would have been any case registered against him or he would at least have been arrested or summoned before.”
“Those who killed this innocent bud I want to tell them if you will not be not be answerable to us in this world, but for sure you have to be answerable to Allah,” he said with a distressed voice.
Hundreds thronged Athar’s residence in his Below village to pay condolence to the bereaved family. The three slain were buried graveyard at Sonamarg in Ganderbal district. “Only family members were allowed to pray at the funeral. We had to cross at least five checkpoints on our way to Sonamarg; we were questioned and frisked thoroughly,” Shafi said.
“We only demand authorities to return his corpse so that we can give him a proper religious burial and bury him in our local graveyard alongside our relatives,” Shafi added.
