Srinagar Dec 27: Father of a teenage student - Tufail Ahmad Matoo, killed in police action on June 11 this year, mulls to approach international embassies in New Delhi to seek asylum after allegedly being threatened by various security agencies to highlight his kin’s tragic end.
“Various people belonging to security agencies come in civvies and threaten us of dire consequences,” Ashraf Matoo told Greater Kashmir. He said the circumstances have become so worse for him that he was feeling unsafe even in his home now.
“I am really scared. So I am forced to approach various embassies and seek asylum somewhere outside India,” Ashraf said. “There is no choice, but to flee. Nobody is either supporting or coming forward to make our lives safe even if we have made public that we receive threats. I want safety and want to live in peace along with my family”.
He said the threats intensified after the recently concluded visit of the 11-member delegation comprising politicians, members of civil society and journalists. Earlier, the victim’s family has been in the spotlight since they hogged headlines and attention of politicians, media and members of civil society groups.
“The only thing they want me to do is to stop talking about the killing of my son. They also coerce me to drop the case of my son and take compensation,” emotionally charged Ashraf said. “You tell me can a father fix price for the corpse of his son. He was priceless. The emotional scars are deeply engraved on my heart, on his mothers also. What I want is justice”.
Matoo said he would approach international human rights bodies if his son’s case is not taken to logical conclusion.
“I have already shot letters to Amnesty International and other international bodies to take cognizance of the death of my son and other boys who were martyred in police and CRPF firing,” he said.
He also alleged that police is not investigating the case properly.
“They are moving on snails pace as far as investigation is concerned,” Matoo said. “I feel they treat themselves above the law”.
Tufail Matoo was on his way to tuitions from home when he was hit in the head by a tear smoke shell. He died on the spot while the subsequent agitation, which continued for five months, led to killing of 112 more people, especially youth as police and CRPF opened fire on unarmed protesters.
SP North of city, Showkat Shah said, “There is not threat,” adding, “The family is playing politics. They are being exploited by separatists for their nefarious designs. There is no security agency threatening them”.
He said police is transparently following the case and FIR has been already lodged.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:00:00 IST