Family of Kashmir youth held by Saudi-intelligence,demand his whereabouts,Police clueless

Srinagar: Family of a Kashmiri youth who was arrested in Saudi Arabia in December last year has demanded his whereabouts even as Kashmir top police officer feigned ignorance about the matter.
Aaqib Majeed Zaroo, son of Abdul Majeed Zaroo, a resident of Khwajayarbal, Saida Kadal, was arrested by the sleuths of Saudi Arabian intelligence on December 8, 2015 when he was on his way to apartment at Riyadh. His brother, Inayat Majeed told news agency GNS that they received a call from his friend about Zaroos arrest on December 10.
“My brother was working as a driver with Diet Watchers, which is a beverage company. He was there from around 17 months and when we heard about his arrest, we were shocked. My mother and father fell ill and since then they are unwell,” he said.
Subsequently, family lodged a complaint with Minister of External Affairs and approached a lawyer there namely Avinesh Nandan Sharma. “The lawyers furnished all the details and sent details to Saudi Arabian authorities. He told us to wait for a week for the reply from Saudi authorities. But there was no reply and finally we decided to approach Saudi embassy in Delhi,” said Inayat.
Some Saudi embassy officials in Delhi, he said, humiliated him and denied access to meet top officials.
I was thrown out of the Embassy.” Inayat said.
Shortly after his brother’s arrest Inayat said that he had lodged a complaint with police in Kashmir and they after verification gave a clean chit to my brother.
My brother is innocent and he is not involved in any illegal activity. All we want to know is where he has been lodged and on what grounds was he picked?” he added.
According to Nafethat website of Saudi Government, Aaqib case is under investigation. His family also said that they were told by his company owner that his case is under investigation and he has not been convicted for any crime.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Range, SJM Gillani, when contacted, said he doesn’t know anything about the arrest. “You can ask Saudi authorities regarding the arrest,” he replied.
Asked whether Indian home or external affairs ministry has sought any reply in connection with the arrest, the top police officer disconnected the call.
An official of the Saudi Embassy in Delhi said Thursday evening said that they will provide the details regarding Aaqib’s arrest tomorrow.
“The working hours are over today. So tomorrow we would be able to give you information,” he said.
Meanwhile, the owner of Diet Watcher’s Mohammad Jaralla when contacted by news agency GNS expressed hope that Aaqib would be released shortly, saying he is a good and hard working person. “He has been arrested by Saudi intelligence and that’s why his whereabouts have not been disclosed. However, I have been told that the investigation is underway and so far nothing has been established. He may be released shortly,” said the Owner. (GNS)

Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now

Be Part of Quality Journalism

Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast.

ACT NOW