MIR EHSAN
He was a respected teacher, an eminent educationist, and a heart full of passion for poetry. But these didn't prove sound alibi for the 59-year-old retired principal to be taken into custody.
On his way back from the mosque on May 13, 1994, Sonullah Nissar, was picked up by Army's 3 Para. "Our neighbours informed us about the arrest," says Dr Muzafar, Nissar's son.
Counted among the top educationists of south Kashmir, Nissar's disappearance caused a lot of ripple. Nobody could associate this teacher's alleged link with militancy. "Over the years I have left no stone unturned to trace my father. Knocked doors of all political leaders, but nothing worked," he said.
It was hard for the family to even get information as to who actually picked up the teacher. "We hoped my father's antecedents would help him get an early release and even approached the Army, police and officials of district administration. It was the then deputy commissioner of Anantnag who confirmed about the arrest by troops of 3 Para," Muzafar said.
Initially, Army officers were cordial and agreed to the family's request to meet Nissar. "They asked us to get approval letter to meet my father. We met all senior officials of Army and commanding officers of the units," Dr Muzafar recalls. But once the formalities were over, there was a twist in the tale. "Army officials refused to even acknowledge about arrest of my father," he said. "That moment I realised my father was no more."
After thirteen years, his family cannot think of his return. "I am sure, my father was killed in custody," says Dr Muzafar. "I last saw him when he left for the mosque to offer evening prayers."
On the other hand, Army had only one answer: Nissar had links with Jamaat Islami, a political organisation that contested elections many times. "He was put to death just for being a Jamaat member," says the surprised son.
Not ready to accept such an allegation, Muzafar "gathered" character certificate from everywhere. "Not only did I produced non-involvement certificate from police to the Army, I also got a certificate from my father's department."
"We even registered a case with the state Human Rights Commission," Dr Muzafar said. The family also met the then J-K Governor G C Saksena. Even promise of the government's highest functionary proved to be a lie.
"Losing hopes from the state officials, I wrote a detailed letter to L K Advani, then Central Home Minister. But, he didn't reply to my letter," he said.
Among all these melee, Nissar's old wife is not ready to accept allegation of her "dead" husband. "I am sure my husband has been killed by the Army," says Zeba Begum, a retired government employee. "If there is any democracy here, I want the Army men responsible in killing my husband be punished," she said. "Otherwise, I will think human life has no value."
He was a respected teacher, an eminent educationist, and a heart full of passion for poetry. But these didn't prove sound alibi for the 59-year-old retired principal to be taken into custody.
On his way back from the mosque on May 13, 1994, Sonullah Nissar, was picked up by Army's 3 Para. "Our neighbours informed us about the arrest," says Dr Muzafar, Nissar's son.
Counted among the top educationists of south Kashmir, Nissar's disappearance caused a lot of ripple. Nobody could associate this teacher's alleged link with militancy. "Over the years I have left no stone unturned to trace my father. Knocked doors of all political leaders, but nothing worked," he said.
It was hard for the family to even get information as to who actually picked up the teacher. "We hoped my father's antecedents would help him get an early release and even approached the Army, police and officials of district administration. It was the then deputy commissioner of Anantnag who confirmed about the arrest by troops of 3 Para," Muzafar said.
Initially, Army officers were cordial and agreed to the family's request to meet Nissar. "They asked us to get approval letter to meet my father. We met all senior officials of Army and commanding officers of the units," Dr Muzafar recalls. But once the formalities were over, there was a twist in the tale. "Army officials refused to even acknowledge about arrest of my father," he said. "That moment I realised my father was no more."
After thirteen years, his family cannot think of his return. "I am sure, my father was killed in custody," says Dr Muzafar. "I last saw him when he left for the mosque to offer evening prayers."
On the other hand, Army had only one answer: Nissar had links with Jamaat Islami, a political organisation that contested elections many times. "He was put to death just for being a Jamaat member," says the surprised son.
Not ready to accept such an allegation, Muzafar "gathered" character certificate from everywhere. "Not only did I produced non-involvement certificate from police to the Army, I also got a certificate from my father's department."
"We even registered a case with the state Human Rights Commission," Dr Muzafar said. The family also met the then J-K Governor G C Saksena. Even promise of the government's highest functionary proved to be a lie.
"Losing hopes from the state officials, I wrote a detailed letter to L K Advani, then Central Home Minister. But, he didn't reply to my letter," he said.
Among all these melee, Nissar's old wife is not ready to accept allegation of her "dead" husband. "I am sure my husband has been killed by the Army," says Zeba Begum, a retired government employee. "If there is any democracy here, I want the Army men responsible in killing my husband be punished," she said. "Otherwise, I will think human life has no value."
