Four youth go missing in Shopian
Will be given a chance to return back, say officials
Shopian: Four youth belonging to South Kashmir’s Shopian district have gone missing since the past twenty days, family sources said.
The youth who have gone missing include Nadeem Ul Zaman Malik (21) son of Abdul Hamid Malik of Heffkhuri Chitragam, Wakeel Ahmad Naik (21) son of Mohammed Yaqoob Naik of Rakhpora in Kachdoora belt, Shayak Ahmad Sofi (34) son of Abdul Hamid Sofi resident of Shamshipora Shopian and Shakir Shafi Shah (20) son of Mohammad Shafi resident of Nazimpora in Keegam belt of Shopian.
Nadeem according to officials went missing on 18 May and since then there are no traces of him.
Nadeem, a BA final year studentbelongs to a well off family, they said.
Soon after he went missing a video of his family went viral in which they were asking him to return home and leave the path of violence.
However, later a video of Nadeem went viral in which he alleged that ‘atrocities’ by a police officer forced him to join militant ranks.
Notably, after the allegations leveled against a police officer, IGP Kashmir has initiated a probe to get to the bottom of the issue.
Meanwhile, another missing youth Wakeel according to officials also went missing on 18 May and his missing report was filed by his family on 20 May at the concerned police station.
A school dropout, Wakeel was a shopkeeper by profession before he went missing, they added.
Shayak, another youth according to police went missing on 30th of May and since then there are no whereabouts of him.
After completing masters besides his Bachelors in education, he was working with a pesticide company, said one of his friend Aqib Ahmad.
Belonging to a well off family, he was never arrested before, he said, adding that he has left behind two brothers, 3 sisters and parents.
His family has repeatedly requested him to return back, his friend said.
Another young man, Shakir who has passed his 10+2 examination a year before, according to officials has gone missing on 5th June.
A senior police official confirmed that that these four youth are missing, however he said it would be premature to say that they have joined militant ranks.
“We are checking all angles and reasons behind them being reported as missing, he said, adding, that if they will have joined militant ranks, all efforts will be made to bring them back and every opportunity will be given to them to shun the path of violence.
Meanwhile, police claimed to have prevented three youth from joining militant ranks and arrested two militant associates as well.
A police spokesman in a statement issued here said that police received information that some youth of Tral area who had been influenced and motivated by a false narrative were about to join the militant ranks.
“Acting swiftly, Awantipora police along with security forces prevented these youth from joining militant ranks. They have been identified as Illyas Amin Waini, Abrar Ahmad Reshi both residents of Mandoora Tral and Ubaid Ahmad Shah of Shaldraman Tral,” he said.
Police said that the youth were taken to Police Station Tral where they were properly counselled in presence of their family members and after which they were handed over to their respective parents.
During the course of investigation, it surfaced that the trio had come into contact with active militants with the help of two militant associates affiliated with LeT and HM who were motivating youth to join the militant ranks, he said, adding that both the persons were arrested and have been identified as Rizwan Ahmad Wani and Rayees Ahmad Chopan both residents of Mandoora Tral.
“Besides motivating youth for joining the militant ranks, they were found to be involved in providing logistics, shelter and other kind of support to militant organisations operating in the areas of Panner, Mandoor, Chankitrar, Ratsuna Tral,” police said, adding that a case under FIR number 52/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Tral and further investigation into the matter has been initiated.
Jahangeer Ganaie
