Srinagar, Jan 9: After a slumber, government has finally taken cognizance of plight of a Shahar-e-Khaas family whose showroom was gutted in an encounter in 1990.
 In pursuit of rehabilitation, the family has been running from pillar to post for past over two decades. But to no avail.
 Life took an ugly turn for Mushtaq Ahmad Wafaie, a resident of Kawadara area when his only source of livelihood- a woodcarving showroom- was gutted along with several houses and shops in Kawadara area in 1990.  The property was allegedly torched by forces after a gunfight in the area.
 Taking cognizance of a report ‘22 yrs on, Old City family awaits rehabilitation’ published in Greater Kashmir about Wafai’s plight, Divisional Kashmir, Dr Asghar Samoon has written a letter No: Div Com/Dev-95/1721-23 to Deputy Commissioner asking him to take cognizance of the matter. 
 “Report published in Greater Kashmir on January 7, 2013 regarding one Mushtaq Ahmed Wafaie. From the contents of the report, it can be made out that the grievances of the applicant, in question, have not been redressed, despite written instructions from various quarters,” the letter reads.
 “You are requested to go through the contents of the newspaper report and convene a meeting of the concerned in your office, so that genuine grievances of the applicant are redressed. Matter may be accorded top-most priority,” the Div Com states in the letter.
 Wafai had even approached the office of Vice -President of India for appropriate attention in the case.  The Vice-President’s office had directed the Chief Secretary of the State to pay appropriate attention towards representation of the complainant.
 “The representation is being forwarded for your appropriate attention,” under secretary to Vice- President Mahitab Singh vide letter No. VPS –RS -10-12-2012/ US wrote to State’s Chief Secretary.
  “Even after the intervention of Vice President, authorities are unmoved while my family continues to suffer,” Wafai said.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 IST