Srinagar Feb 2, 2021:Thirteen years Justice continues to elude the family of a young school boy Wamiq Farooq , who was martyred by tear gas shell of Indian police near Gani memorial stadium in Rajouri Kadal area of Srinagar on 31 January in 2010 in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
On his martyrdom anniversary, several young visiting his graveyard in Mazar--e-Shuda in Srinagar said that justice is still a distant dream for them.
A father have lost his son who was a young innocent school boy and had just topped his Class 6 examination and was set to resume school in the spring of 2010.
A commission led by Justice M.L. Koul, which was assigned to investigate human rights violations that took place during the 2010 unrest, finally submitted a report in 2014 regarding the 2010 killings, wherein it fiercely criticised the use of unjustified force over civilians that resulted in more than 120 deaths.
Moreover, the commission’s report, holding Abdul Khaliq and Muhammad Akram responsible for misusing their power, concludes that Wamiq’s killing was an example of police brutality. The 320-page report further mentioned that the defences put forth by the accused party were dubious and weak.
“These commissions are nothing but an attempt to camouflage and deviate the attention of the people – no recommendations were implemented. The commission had even sought monetary relief for the family of the victim, and as of yet, they have not been remunerated even by a single penny. These are just diversionary tactics employed by the state,” advocate Ajaz Ahmad, who is representing Wamiq Farooq’s family, told media men.
The then CJM Srinagar had issued an order of magisterial probe under which Masarat Shaheen (currently registrar judicial at the J&K high court) recorded the statement of eight eyewitnesses. “All of the testimonies confirmed in unison that there was no mob present at the time and there was no incident of stone pelting, and that the constable Akram had fired shells on the order of ASI Khaliq,” Ahmad told a news agency.
As a result, on his 13th death anniversary, justice still evades Wamiq Farooq and his family. In remembrance of Wamiq Farooq, congregational prayers were held on his 13th death anniversary on January 31 at Martyrs’ Graveyard, Eidgah, in Srinagar.
On his ninth death anniversary, his father Farooq Ahmad said that justice is still a distant dream for them.
“I still have to move from pillar to post to seek justice. I have lost my son. He was innocent. Those who have killed my son should be given exemplary punishment. My son was everything to me.Nobody can fill the void, he has left in our lives, “he said.
Referring to the obstacles, he has been facing for the last nine years while pursuing the legal course; he said that the case was even transferred to Jammu after the accused claimed that no lawyer is coming forward to take up the case.
“For two consecutive years, I travelled to Jammu to appear for the case. I will not give up till culprits are put behind the bars. Nobody can bring back my son but I can ensure that perpetrators are brought to book,”he said.
Ahmad said that even though the accused, the then Sub Inspector (SI) Abdul Khaliq Sofi and Special Police Officer (SPO) Mohammad Akram Dar are facing the charges of “culpable homicide not amounting to murder’’ they continue to roam free as court has recently granted them bail. He said that “I fail to understand, how the court granted the bail to accused.”