by Syed Samreen
SRINAGAR: The family members of the missing PhD scholar Hilal Abdul Basit on Monday again staged a protest at press colony Srinagar and sought the intervention of LG G C Murmu in this regard.
The protesters, including family members of a scholar holding placards assembled at press colony, raised pro-justice slogans and appealed Lieutenant Governor administration to take concrete steps for tracing their son.
According to reports, Hilal was part of a five-member group of friends who had gone trekking the Gangbal trek. On June 15, while negotiating an ascent, according to reports, he felt fatigued and told the group that they should move ahead and he will wait for their return.
However, when the group returned, they found him missing. They looked around but could not trace him and finally they informed the family and the government. This is what his friends have told the family and eventually the police.
On Sunday, rumours of Hilal’s killing during an encounter shook the family. People rushed towards the residence of Hilal and asking about his whereabouts. However, it was later made clear that Hilal was not among the slain militants and that it was just a rumour circulated on social media.
The family members were carrying banners that read: “Release Hilal from captivity”, “Mysterious disappearance of Hilal”, “Requesting concerned to step up efforts”, “Missing during trekking”, “Release the innocent (written in Urdu)” and “No Connection with militancy”.
“We seek the help of Leitunent Governor and higher authorities of police to trace the missing youth,” the family members said.
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“He is an Orphan. We want to see him thrive, we want him back. He is innocent and isn’t indulged in anything,” they said.
