Our sons are innocent, say families
Kulgam/ Pulwama: Soon after the two youth from Kashmir were arrested in Dehradun for their alleged links with Jaish-e-Muhammad, the families of duo refuted the claims of Uttar Pradesh police, saying their sons are innocent.
The families of Shahnawaz and Aqib from southern Kashmir’s Kulgam and Pulwama districts respectively have termed the claims of police as baseless.
Shahnawaz Ahmad Teli, son of Gh Hassan Teli of Nonmai village in Yaripora belt of Kulgam district according to his family members has nothing to do with militancy and refuted police claims.
According to them, Shahnawaz was studying in Deoband since year 2016 pursuing a course in Aaalmiyat.
Last month, he was at home during holiday and spent about two weeks at home however, he was never arrested or summoned by police ever, said his brother Waqar Ahmad who is a private school teacher.
“We don’t know on what basis police has framed him as he was never inclined towards militancy,” he said.
Shahnawaz is considered as one of the most intelligent and helpful person in the area, said one of his friends, adding that he was always taking front in social activities and was always helping poor and downtrodden people.
His family which comprises of elder brother, two sisters and parents appealed state administration to intervene in the matter and also demanded his release.
The family members of Pulwama youth who has also been arrested in UP State plead his innocence, saying he has not any links with JeM.
Hajira, mother of arrested youth, Aqib Ahmad Malik of Babgama village of Pulwama district said that her son is innocent and has no connection with any militant group.
“He never took part in any unlawful activity and was never arrested before,” she said.
Rayees Ahmad elder brother of the arrested youth, said that Aqib was in Deoband for past two months where he has been learning through informal classes called Samaat.
“The Samaat is an informal course in Dar-ul-aloom Deoband for which a student doesn’t not need admission or regular attendance,” he said, adding that it is a fact his brother had no admission in Deoband as he was a student of Samaat course.
The family members informed that Aqib talked to them on previous Thursday at 4:00 pm and informed them that he will be returning home within four days.
The family members said Aqib was a pass out from a local seminary at Chith-Parraypora in Pulwama and claimed that he used to lead prayers in a mosque at police post Lassipora during the month of Ramadhan for last two years.
They said that he went to Deoband to get further education but couldn’t get admission as this year’s admission was already closed.
The family members refute UP police’s ‘allegations’ and demanded Aqib’s immediate release.
Earlier in a day, Uttar Pradesh Police claimed to have arrested two alleged Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants from Deoband in Saharanpur district. They claimed that the duo posed as students and were involved in recruiting for the group.
Families of duo have appealed Governor led administration to look into the matter and release them at an earliest as both are innocent and have police is falsely accusing them of having links with Jaish militants.
Jahangeer Ganaie
