SRINAGAR: The body of a 28-year-old labourer from Kokernag, who had been missing since September, was found in Punjab and brought to his native village on Monday, with his family and local residents staging a protest demanding a thorough investigation into his death.
The deceased, Aijaz Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Majeed Dar, was a resident of Darpora, Hallpora, Gadool in Kokernag, officials said.
According to officials, a missing report was lodged on September 26 after Dar left home for labour work.
His family said he had travelled to Srinagar around 20 days before contact was lost and stayed there for about 10 days before leaving for Ludhiana in Punjab in search of work. They said they remained in regular telephone contact with him for about a week, after which his mobile phone was switched off and they were unable to reach him.
The family said Dar was the brother of seven sisters. They also expressed concern over the condition of his face, which they said was damaged, and demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. They called for the death penalty for anyone found guilty.
On October 17, residents of Hallpora and Dar’s family staged a protest over his disappearance, expressing concern for his safety and demanding efforts to trace him. The protest ended peacefully following the intervention and assurances of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Kokernag, and the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Kokernag.
After the body was brought to his native village on Monday, family members and local residents staged another protest outside Police Station Kokernag, alleging that Dar had been murdered and demanding a thorough investigation into the case.
Police assured the protesters that the case would be taken to its logical conclusion, following which they dispersed peacefully.
Further details are awaited.
