SRINAGAR: The heartbroken mother, Tajaa Begum, whose emotional plea on April 16 led everyone to tears after her son and grandson drowned in the Jhelum River, continues her wait as her grandson has been laid to rest, while her son remains missing.
The tragic incident occurred when the boat they were travelling in capsized in the river on April 16. In that incident, six people lost their lives, and three went missing.
Showkat Ahmad, the missing man, was a mason by profession and the sole support for his family, consisting of six sisters. He was a guiding light for his mother, Taja Begum, who has poor eyesight and is an elderly lady. The absence of her son has left Taja in deep shock, as she wails and struggles to overcome the devastating loss.
“If Taja could get her son’s body back, she might find some solace,” locals said. “His continued absence has left her devastated as she is unable to overcome the shock of the tragedy. The lingering uncertainty surrounding her son’s fate adds to her grief, with the haunting memories of the tragic incident lingering in her mind,” they said, adding that the traumatic scene will remain etched in the minds of the locals from Gandbal for a long time, and the river Jhelum will haunt them as well.
Showkat managed to save himself and reached for the rope, but upon seeing his son Haziq drowning, he jumped back into the river to try and save him. Both Showkat and Haziq eventually drowned.
However, on Friday, the body of young Haziq Showkat was retrieved, and on Saturday morning, the missing body of the second boy, Farhan Parray, was also found. Unfortunately, Showkat Ahmad remains unaccounted for in this tragic incident.
Eyewitnesses recount the heart-wrenching scenes of Tajaa Begum bidding farewell to her grandson Hazik, only to be consumed by renewed grief for her missing son. Her cries echo in the air as she yearns for closure and the chance to bid a final goodbye to her beloved son.
Gandbal locals are now requesting the people of the valley to pray for the safe recovery of Showkat Ahmad’s body, so they can give him a proper farewell.(KNO)
