In a shocking incident, half-burnt body of a minor, Umar Farooq, with a chopped left arm was recovered from a nallah near Gushi, here on Thursday evening, three days after his missing report was filed. The place where the body was recovered is two kms from the deceased’s native place Gulgam Kupwara.
Soon after the news spread, a pall of gloom descended on the village leading to protests in Gulgam and some adjacent areas.
After the completion of legal formalities, the body was handed over to the legal heirs. The deceased was finally laid to rest at 4 AM in their ancestral graveyard amidst slogans.
Umar (10) was the only brother of seven sisters. His father, Farooq Ahmad Malik, is a labourer who mostly works in remote border area in Keran Kupwara. Malik wasn’t at home when Umar had gone missing.
“For his sisters, Umar was the only hope they looked up to. Being the sole brother of seven sisters, he was profoundly loved and taken care of. His sisters did menial jobs in the local households to meet their daily needs. The eldest sister, who is 28, is yet to get married. Umar’s death has literally devastated us,” said Ghulam Mohammd, a close relative of the family.
Umar’s mother Shareefa works as peon in the same school where he was studying in 3rd standard.
“Along with the district administration, everyone was trying hard to trace Umar. The police men had taken much trouble to look for Umar in the adjoining forests,” said Umar’s cousin Adil.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in Kupwara town and other adjoining areas against his mysterious death.
The district authorities snapped high speed internet in the district after apprehending trouble. All shops and other business establishments remained closed while traffic was off the roads.