Despite halt in military ops, no Eid celebrations for many in Kashmir

› Why did you break your promise, Papa? Why did you leave us alone? Didn’t you say you will be home for the Eid celebrations.

SAJJAD, son of Ghulam Hassan Wagay, who was killed when militants attacked a guard post at the district court complex in Pulwama

SRINAGAR : There will be no Eid celebrations for the family members of three policemen, four civilians and families of militants who were killed in different parts of the Valley despite the unilateral ceasefire announced by the home minister Rajnath Singh in the beginning of Ramzan.

The Eid will be sombre for these families as they will be receiving a rush of visitors, not for celebrations but condolences.

“It was God’s will; my brother was snatched from us like this. We won’t be celebrating Eid, but will distribute dates, serve water among the visitors,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad, younger brother of constable Ghulam Rasool who is survived by three children and wife. “When people across Kashmir will be celebrating Eid, our family will be in a mourning.”

Ghulam Rasool of Gagal village in Kupwara was killed along with other policeman Ghulam Hassan Wagay of Rafiabad when militants attacked a guard post at the district court complex in Pulwama.

“Why did you break your promise, Papa? Why did you leave us alone? Didn’t you say you will be home for Eid,” Wagay’s 21-year-old son, Sajjad has been telling his relatives and friends who come to console the family.

“The family is in a state of shock, infact everyone in the village are perturbed over the killing, so there will be no Eid for family or their neighbours,’’ said Javeed Ahmad who is related to the family.

Two civilians, Hilal Ahmad and Mohammad Yaqub were killed by unidentified gunmen during the ceasefire in Hajin. While police blamed militants for the killing, the militants blamed security agencies.

“Both the families are still in a shock, they have lost their dear ones. For them Eid will bring more grief as it will bring back the memories of their dear ones,’’ said Sajjad Ahmad, neighbour of the two deceased.

For sisters of 21-year-old Kaiser Ahmad who was crushed to death by a CRPF vehicle during protests, Eid will be a day of mourning.

“After the death of our parents, Kaiser was our world. But, he too was snatched from us. We know we won’t get justice, as hundreds of families are still waiting for it in Kashmir,” said Toiba who is pursuing Bachelors in law.

“On Eid, our brother used to get gifts for us and on this Eid, he won’t be around. For us the Eid will be more painful.”

Meanwhile, director general of police (DGP) S P Vaid released a message on the social media in which he has again appealed to the youth who have joined militancy to return to their families. “On this Eid, parents whose children had adopted wrong path should call them home. They will achieve nothing by violence. They should celebrate Eid with their families and lead a peaceful life,” he said.

Three local policemen, four civilians, three soldiers and 24 militants were killed in more than 60 incidents of violence during the period of ceasefire. Almost all the militants were killed in north Kashmir’s Kupwara close to LoC.

In a recent meeting with home minister, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has strongly advocated for the extension of ceasefire beyond Ramzan.