BASHARAAT MASOOD
Like everyday, Fayaz Ahmad Beig left home for the University in his motorcycle. But on September 6, 1997, like all other days, he didn’t reach the Centre for Central Asian Studies, where he worked as a photographer.
He didn’t even return home. Late in the afternoon, some University students informed the Beig family that police had taken him away from near Hazratbal, outside the campus.
After running from pillar to posts and searching all possible places, Abdul Rashid Beig, Fayaz’s father gathered that on orders of H R Parihar, then SP Pulwama, his son was arrested by Special Operations Group (SOG).
So when Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Parihar was arrested in the fake encounter cases, a hope was rekindled in the senior Beig’s heart - he hoped to see the grave of his son. At least now, 10 years later.
“Parihar knows where my son is. I want news of him whether he is dead or alive. If he is dead, they should hand over the body. I want to die in peace,” says a tearful Beig.
“The entire family went out looking for him,” his father said. “For the next three days, we visited every SOG camp in Kashmir. We visited Pulwama, we visited Shopian and to Anantnag. But nothing came out.”
Teachers, students and employees of Kashmir University then demonstrated against Fayaz’s arrest forcing the then SHO of Nageen, Ghulam Hassan Naaz to order a field inquiry. The family was then informed that SOG of Pulwama had arrested Fayaz.
A day later, the family got a clue. Fayaz’s motorcycle was spotted at Lethpora, Pulwama. A SOG constable was riding it. The family visited Pulwama and a gunman confirmed that Fayaz was lodged at the camp and that he has been arrested on the direction of Parihar, then SP Pulwama.
“I visited the IGP office,” recalls Beig. “His PRO informed that a meeting of all the SPs would be convened on September 10 (1997) regarding my son. On the D-day, I again visited his office where then SSP Pulwama, Karnail Singh handed me a letter for Parihar asking him to release my son.”
The following day the old man met the SP of Awantipora. “He assured me that they will release Fayaz the next morning,” he said. But, that was just the beginning of the tormenting year ahead. In fact, more bad news was waiting for him. As the senior Beig reached home, there was a message for him from SHO of Soura - “Produce Fayaz before him (SHO)”. The father left his home for the police station, Soura.
“SHO Abdul Rashid Khan told me that a sub-inspector from SOG camp Lethpora has filed an FIR that Fayaz has fled from custody,” Beig said. “How could that happened? Only few hours ago, the SP had confirmed his arrest and assured me of his release,” said the depressed man.
The family didn’t lose hope and continued their unending search. The family also approached the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). In 2000, the SHRC concluded that Fayaz has been picked up by Parihar and his men and was forced to disappear. SHRC called for action against police officials.
Seven years have passed and the directions are yet to be complied with. Now that police have launched an internal inquiry to probe the fake encounter killings and Parihar is already behind the bars, Beig and his family hopes to get some news of their lost son. “Is Fayaz is dead or alive,” asks Beig not knowing whether he would ever get an answer.
Like everyday, Fayaz Ahmad Beig left home for the University in his motorcycle. But on September 6, 1997, like all other days, he didn’t reach the Centre for Central Asian Studies, where he worked as a photographer.
He didn’t even return home. Late in the afternoon, some University students informed the Beig family that police had taken him away from near Hazratbal, outside the campus.
After running from pillar to posts and searching all possible places, Abdul Rashid Beig, Fayaz’s father gathered that on orders of H R Parihar, then SP Pulwama, his son was arrested by Special Operations Group (SOG).
So when Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Parihar was arrested in the fake encounter cases, a hope was rekindled in the senior Beig’s heart - he hoped to see the grave of his son. At least now, 10 years later.
“Parihar knows where my son is. I want news of him whether he is dead or alive. If he is dead, they should hand over the body. I want to die in peace,” says a tearful Beig.
“The entire family went out looking for him,” his father said. “For the next three days, we visited every SOG camp in Kashmir. We visited Pulwama, we visited Shopian and to Anantnag. But nothing came out.”
Teachers, students and employees of Kashmir University then demonstrated against Fayaz’s arrest forcing the then SHO of Nageen, Ghulam Hassan Naaz to order a field inquiry. The family was then informed that SOG of Pulwama had arrested Fayaz.
A day later, the family got a clue. Fayaz’s motorcycle was spotted at Lethpora, Pulwama. A SOG constable was riding it. The family visited Pulwama and a gunman confirmed that Fayaz was lodged at the camp and that he has been arrested on the direction of Parihar, then SP Pulwama.
“I visited the IGP office,” recalls Beig. “His PRO informed that a meeting of all the SPs would be convened on September 10 (1997) regarding my son. On the D-day, I again visited his office where then SSP Pulwama, Karnail Singh handed me a letter for Parihar asking him to release my son.”
The following day the old man met the SP of Awantipora. “He assured me that they will release Fayaz the next morning,” he said. But, that was just the beginning of the tormenting year ahead. In fact, more bad news was waiting for him. As the senior Beig reached home, there was a message for him from SHO of Soura - “Produce Fayaz before him (SHO)”. The father left his home for the police station, Soura.
“SHO Abdul Rashid Khan told me that a sub-inspector from SOG camp Lethpora has filed an FIR that Fayaz has fled from custody,” Beig said. “How could that happened? Only few hours ago, the SP had confirmed his arrest and assured me of his release,” said the depressed man.
The family didn’t lose hope and continued their unending search. The family also approached the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). In 2000, the SHRC concluded that Fayaz has been picked up by Parihar and his men and was forced to disappear. SHRC called for action against police officials.
Seven years have passed and the directions are yet to be complied with. Now that police have launched an internal inquiry to probe the fake encounter killings and Parihar is already behind the bars, Beig and his family hopes to get some news of their lost son. “Is Fayaz is dead or alive,” asks Beig not knowing whether he would ever get an answer.
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