Neyaz Elahi
Kulgam, Dec 9, KNT: Its been 19 years since the killing of a Kulgam man here in South Kashmir by Border Security Force and still justice is deluding to the family. No job to one of the family members was given as was promised by the government at the time of murder.
On 24 September 2001, as usual Farooq Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Gudder village of the then Anantnag (now Kulgam) district left his home to visit his fields during morning hours. A BSF man from 151 Battalion felt scared of his presence and shot him dead. The incident sparked protest in the village prompting government to initiate inquiry.
“Government officials from the district visited our house and assured financial assistance and a job to one of the family members. The local Patwari asked me to complete the formalities which I did,” Waseem Raja-the son of the deceased man told news agency Kashmir News Trust.
He said after completing all the formalities, he went from pillar to post but no official helped him till the expiry of over 7 years.
“Finally I was called by the then Deputy Commissioner who offered me cash assistance of Rs 4 lakh. I refused to take the cash and demanded government job. Since then neither I received cash assistance nor the government job,” he said adding that promise made by the government at the time of murder of his father proved hollow and fake.
“Today I am realizing that fake promise was made to family to assuage our anger and to kill protest. We were cheated by the government,” he claimed.
He sought the intervention of incumbent LG and appealed him to open up the case and find out why job to one of the family members was not given as was promised by the government.
“We are living from hand to mouth. Our father was the sole bread winner for the family who was murdered for no reason,” Waseem told KNT.