It was 2010, January 31, when kids were playing in historical Gani Memorial Stadium where forces robbed an innocent 12-year-old boy of his life. His name was Wamiq Farooq.
Spending years on fighting for justice, the family of Wamiq Farooq who was killed by government forces in 2010 yet to achieve anything.
Running after the courts for 1,040 days, the family is still steadfast on its pursuit to justice.
Running after the courts for 1,040 days, the family is still steadfast on its pursuit to justice.
“From over a thousand days we are moving from pillar to post and we will continue to do so till justice is delivered in favour of my son,” Firdousa, Wamiq’s mother said, adding, “Our economic condition is too bad. My husband cannot meet the needs of the family as everything goes into pursuing the case.”
But this has not drained the resilience of family and is adamant to bring the case to its logical conclusion.
Farooq Ahmad, Wamiq’s father said he will continue to do so till the last penny is in his pocket.
Farooq Ahmad, Wamiq’s father said he will continue to do so till the last penny is in his pocket.
“Even though we have to struggle for food but we won’t give up the struggle against the oppression,” he said.
He said his family has been harassed and threatened by the police for withdrawing the case.
He said his family has been harassed and threatened by the police for withdrawing the case.
“Police used every tactic to dilute the case or deceive the people from continuous harassment to shield the culprits, he said.
Wamiq was killed when a teargas shell allegedly fired by the police hit him near Gani Memorial Stadium at Rajouri Kadal in downtown Srinagar.
Wamiq was killed when a teargas shell allegedly fired by the police hit him near Gani Memorial Stadium at Rajouri Kadal in downtown Srinagar.
Wamiq’s mother, however, said that she is still waiting for her son. “I believe my son will come back home. Whenever anybody knocks our door I consider that it is my son who returned to his home from the playing field,” she said.
Wamiq Farooq was just 13 when he was killed on 31 January 2010 at Rainawari. Wamiq’s room is adorned with the medals and other awards he had won after competing in different school debates and sports events. “Wamiq was a superb cricketer. Cricket was his life,” says his father Farooq Ahmad. Wamiq was laid to rest with two cricket balls in his pocket as a humble tribute to his cricketing talent.
The family remembers this young soul as a Good Samaritan even at that tender age. Wamiq used to help his neighbors and passersby. “Once in the scorching summer heat Wamiq saw a lady carrying a kerosene canister. He took it from her and carried it all the way to her home,” recalls Farooq.
The family remembers this young soul as a Good Samaritan even at that tender age. Wamiq used to help his neighbors and passersby. “Once in the scorching summer heat Wamiq saw a lady carrying a kerosene canister. He took it from her and carried it all the way to her home,” recalls Farooq.
Coming from a poor family Wamiq had already chalked out some plans for the family. “He used to tell me: ‘Papa, don’t worry I will help you when I will start earning, I will pay your debts,’” Farooq recalls Wamiq telling him.
Farooq is constantly confronted by a question that parents of all the dead boys have asked and found no answers: Why did they kill my son?
There will be no answers to this question. And there will be no closure for these parents.
There will be no answers to this question. And there will be no closure for these parents.
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