Thanking the Jammu and Kashmir Police for their help, they said that Mehbooba should also push for Kawa’s release.
“My son is my sole hope. Since the day of his arrest, I am completely shaken. I request Mehbooba ji to facilitate my son’s release,” appealed Fatima, mother of Kawa.
Jammu and Kashmir Police has already cleared that there have been no charges against Kawa ever.”There is no case against him here. We have talked to Delhi police in this regard. They are saying that there was warrant number 50012 against him,” said additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Muneer Ahmad Khan, adding that they their CID cell is coordinating with Delhi Police in this regard.
Kawa was arrested by Delhi police and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad on charges of his alleged involvement in Red Fort attack in 2000, on January 12 from Delhi’s IGI airport.
Kawa, who according to his family deals in pelts, owns an accommodation in New Delhi and on the day of his arrest had gone for medical checkup to Delhi, as he was suffering from high cholesterol and other ailments.
The family also produced his passport and questioned how he was issued the document if he was ever involved in “anti national” activities.
The passport bearing number B2687031 stands registered with Kawa’s name mentioning date of issue as 15 January, 2001. “How they issued passport, if according to them he was involved in any subversive activity,” asked Fatima.
Kawa’s family said that they are unable to understand how come authorities and security agencies did not get a whiff about him all these 17 years, if he had done anything wrong.
“Our house at Aali Kadal in Srinagar’s downtown is located adjacent to a big paramilitary installation. If he was involved in anything or as they say in terror activities why did not they arrest him all these years?” asked Fatima.
She termed her son’s (Kawa’s) detention as a “tactic” to harass Kashmiris. “If he would have been a mujahid (militant), I would have never demanded his release. But, when there is nothing like that, which law permits them to arrest my innocent son,” said Fatima, while breaking down.
