Anantnag, Oct 19 (JKNS): Grief and anger gripped south Kashmir’s Kokernag area on Monday after the body of a 28-year-old labourer, who had been missing for weeks, reached his native village from Punjab, with family members alleging murder and demanding justice.
The deceased has been identified as Aijaz Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Majeed Dar, a resident of Darpora, Hallpora, Gadool in Kokernag, as per news agency JKNS.
As the body reached the village, grieving family members and locals staged a protest, blocked the road and raised slogans demanding justice for the deceased. Family members were seen wailing and beating their chests while seeking action against those responsible.
The family told the news agency JKNS that Dar had initially travelled to Srinagar for work before leaving for Ludhiana in Punjab in search of employment.
A family member said they remained in regular telephone contact with him for about a week, after which his phone was switched off and he could no longer be reached.
On October 17, family members and locals had staged a protest in Hallpora, expressing concern over Dar’s disappearance and seeking urgent efforts to trace him.
On Monday morning, after his body reached the village, the family and locals staged another protest outside Police Station Kokernag, alleging that Dar had been murdered and demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.
A police officer said a missing report had been lodged on September 26 regarding Aijaz Ahmad Dar.
The officer said police had assured the protesters that the case would be investigated fairly and taken to its logical conclusion.
Following the assurance, the protesters dispersed. (JKNS)