Srinagar, Feb 24: Two days after one-man sit-in by teenager Wamiq Farooq’s father at the spot where his son was killed, desperation to seek justice drove the family to streets. The victim’s family along with relatives and neighbors lodged a protest sit-in at Pratap Park here on Wednesday demanding the prosecution of Assistant Sub-Inspector who killed their son by targeting him with a tear gas canister.
 The father of 13-year old Wamiq, Farooq Ahmad, was joined in today’s protest by victim’s mother, his three-year old brother, his cousins, uncles, aunts and close neighbors. They protested for hours with placards and banners in their hands demanding punishment to Wamiq’s killer.
 “Had he been stone-pelter I would not have been here. But my son was a position-holder student. He was coming out of cricket ground when the police officer fired tear smoke shell at his head,” cried Farooq. Two days ago on Monday, Farooq had walked alone to Rajouri Kadal to stage a sit-in for justice to his son.
 Wamiq, a 7th standard student, was killed on January 31. According to the family and eyewitnesses, he was playing cricket when the accused cop fired a tear gas canister at him. Wamiq was hit on head. He was rushed to the SK Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment but he succumbed to injuries after battling for life for several hours. The incident triggered massive protests across the Valley. And the state imposed undeclared curfew in an attempt to control the situation.
 The accused cop is posted in Nowhatta which made the protesters raise slogans against the state police in general and Nowhatta police station in particular.
 Family finds an indifferent approach of the government towards them as the BSF constable who shot dead another teenager Zahid Farooq has already been arrested.  
 “Why is government taking a different stand in our case when it was prompt to book the BSF man who killed Zahid in a similar way?” he asked.
 The case of Wamiq’s killing is being heard by the court on a petition filed by the family. In a report sought by the court, police described Wamiq as a miscreant. An FIR has been registered against him under section 307 for “attempting to murder a cop,” police has said in its report.
 Farooq, who was carrying his three-year old son Azam in his lap, described the police report as fictitious.
 “Witnesses of the incident would vouch for my statement that my son was not involved in stone pelting. In fact, there was no stone pelting in the area when he was hit. The Law and Parliamentary Minister, Ali Muhammad Sagar, has confirmed our statement,” he said, and pledged to continue the protests for justice.
 Wamiq’s mother castigated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for describing Wamiq as a miscreant.
 “He himself is father of two sons. And see the kind of statements he is coming up with,” she wailed.
 The protesters also included young cousins of Wamiq. Among them was Faisal Ahmad, a 3rd standard student, who sat silently holding a banner reading: “Produce killers of Wamiq.”
 The family had on Monday given four-day deadline to government to produce the accused cop, threatening agitation afterwards.  Today they pledged to continue the protests for justice.
 “The killers of our sons shouldn’t go unpunished. Government must produce him before the court,” they demanded.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST