Family Of Missing MPhD Scholar From Srinagar Rejects Police Claim Of Him Joining Militant Group

The family of missing PhD scholar said that if Police claims are true then they should share his location with the family and "we will persuade him to return home."

Hilal Ahmed, who is pursuing PhD from Kashmir University, had gone missing on June 13. (Image: Twitter/@Aazrakhan)

Srinagar: A day after police claimed that the missing youth from Bemina area of Srinagar has joined militant ranks, the family and relatives of the youth on Wednesday staged a protest at Srinagar's Press Enclave while rejecting the police claims. The family and relatives of Hilal Ahmad Dar, who as per Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar has joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, assembled at Srinagar's Press Colony, holding placards. The family said that they are not ready to accept the claims made by Police as their beloved son was not inclined towards militancy. "We are not on the streets to fight with anyone. But we want him to return home," a family member said. He said that if Police claims are true then they should share his location with the family and "we will persuade him to return home." Pertinently, Dar went missing a week ago while he along with his friends were on a trek to Gangabal lake in Ganderbal. His five other friends returned home on the same day, however, he didn't return home and has been missing since then. After a week, the Kashmir police chief yesterday stated that the youth from Bemina has joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, a militant outfit. After the killing of Prof Rafi and PhD scholar Mannan Wani, Dar is the third PhD student who has allegedly joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. However, Police are still soft on his joining, and had earlier assured the family that he will not be arrested if his family persuaded him to come back. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar while confirming the joining said that “Yes, as per our reports, Hilal Ahmed, a Ph.D scholar from Bemina area of Srinagar has joined Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. If his family brings him back, we will not arrest him.” Dar, who is pursuing PhD from Kashmir University, had gone missing on June 13, during a trekking trip along with his five friends. The group had gone to the Naranag area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, and during the trip he left his friends mid way on the pretext of bad health.