Kashmiri student found dead in Punjab, J&K students association rakes up issue
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Monday has raised the tragic death of Kashmiri student Salik Naseer from Safapora, Ganderbal, who was found dead in Punjab, with both the Punjab government and the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Office. The student was found dead in his independent room near Gobindgarh, Punjab.
In a statement, JKSA spokesman said that the Association’s National Convenor, Nasir Khuehami, has spoken with Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, seeking urgent assistance in repatriating Naseer’s body to his native Ganderbal in Kashmir.
The family is currently devastated and has reached out to us for assistance in expediting the repatriation of the deceased’s body. They are seeking support to bring his body back to Kashmir so they can perform his last rites. The Association has requested Punjab government to provide immediate support for the swift return of the deceased’s mortal remains, allowing his family to conduct the final rites with dignity. They have also demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into Naseer’s death, he said.
Khuehami also took up the matter with Punjab Leader of the Opposition, Pratap Singh Bajwa, who assured him that the body of the deceased Kashmiri student will be repatriated. He said that he had spoken with the Chief Secretary and urged him to facilitate the repatriation on a priority basis, providing further support to the grieving family, he said.
Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha assured him of all necessary assistance. Sinha said that the Deputy Commissioner and SSP have been instructed to ensure that the needful is done immediately to facilitate the repatriation and provide further support to the grieving family during this difficult time, he said.
The Chief Secretary assured full support in facilitating the swift return of Naseer’s mortal remains, enabling the grieving family to perform the final rites with dignity in their native place in Kashmir. The Chief Secretary has issued instructions to the concerned Deputy Commissioner, SSP, and other officials to ensure the earliest possible repatriation, he said.
The matter has also been taken up by Association with the J&K Chief Minister’s Office (JKCMO) for the earliest possible repatriation. They are in constant touch with their counterparts in the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani has assured us that arrangements are underway to ensure Salik’s body is returned promptly to Kashmir, he said.
The Association urged the Chief Minister to expedite the investigation to uncover the truth behind the sudden death of this Kashmiri student and to expose any potential foul play, if present. The Association urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to ensure a secure environment for all students from Kashmir. An impartial investigation is necessary to understand why such incidents are happening frequently, particularly in a state that is generally perceived as friendly to Kashmiris, he said.
The Association stands with Naseer’s grieving family during this difficult time and hopes that justice will prevail. They appealed to the central government to implement measures for the protection and security of Kashmiri students nationwide, reads the statement. (GNS)
