14 Years On: Kashmir Youth Missing In Gujurat Still Untracable

Handwara: Hakimuddin Kasana is wandering from pillar to post in search of his son who went missing fourteen years ago in Indian state Gujurat.

Frail and anxious Kasana has not given up and has been making all efforts to trace his son, though authorities both in Kashmir and Gujurat have given up the case and are acting as mute spectators.

Hakimuddin Kasana who hails from North Kashmir’s Handwara town said his son Muhammad Ashraf was just 17 when he went missing from Baroj area of Gujarat state of India.

“I had admitted him at Madrasa Madni Darul Aloom Gujurat for Islamic studies in 2004. He used to visit his home but after 2006, he never turned up.”

He said Ashraf was a bright student without any criminal record.

“Even after the expiry of 14 years we are looking for him. His mother has developed multiple ailments,” Hakimuddin told CNS.

A police official from Zachildara police post said that they even circulated notices in Kashmir and Gujurat newspapers but Ashraf is still untraceable.

“A missing report still stands registered at Zachildara police post and even SSP Handwara put lot of efforts to trace him. We contacted our Gujurat counterparts but all in vain,” he said.

When asked did Jammu Kashmir Police contact Islamic Seminary where Ashraf was studying, the police official said that they submitted a detailed report in which they claimed that Ashraf misbehaved with administrative staff in 2006 after which he was discharged from the Seminary.

“He left the Seminary but didn’t visit his home back in Handwara Kashmir,” the official said and admitted that Ashraf had no criminal record. (CNS)