Grieved by his students whom he taught angles and triangles during his pre-police days, the grave world of a teacher cop is a departed dream and a distressed jump to gun.
KHASHIPORA, Anantnag – The mournful world of a former mathematics teacher is a throwback to his captive classroom for his students.
Struggling with silence and sentiments, they recall their beloved tutor’s passion purge for stepping into his cop father’s shoes.
“He was an excellent mathematics teacher,” said tearful Danish Farooq—a former student of teacher-turned-cop from Ara Khashipora in the Dialgam area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
“We will surely miss him — like we did when he chose combatant training over classroom teaching.”
Danish, 24, had arrived at the residence of Rameez Raja, the 30-year-old cop killed in militant attack in the Nowgam area of Srinagar on April 1.
Raja was guarding a BJP leader, when militants opened fire on the residence, leaving him dead.
Medical Superintendent of SMHS Hospital, Dr Nazir Chowdhary said the cop was “brought dead” to the hospital.
“I saw five bullets on his body,” his uncle told Kashmir Observer at his home. “He might have lost enough blood at the spot.”
Cop Raja is survived by his younger brother, and widow mother, Naseema (55).
As a sole breadwinner of the family, he had earlier succeeded his late father. But before that he was teaching mathematics at Moral High School, Dailgam.
“Our father was head constable in J&K police but he died because of tumour in 2011,” Aaqib, 27, Raja’s younger brother told Kashmir Observer in a room full of mourners.
“Raja was the eldest, so he decided to step into our father’s shoes to support the family.”
The cop’s departure has left the two families devastated. He was scheduled to get married after Eid-ul-Fitr.
“He got engaged to a girl a few months ago and we were preparing to get him married,” Aaqib said.
A day before his killing, Raja was at home to discuss his wedding preparations.
“He was happy, excited. There was a new glow on his face,” his brother said. “Everything was going in the right direction but Allah had his own plans.”
For over four days his would-be in-laws along with his fiancé were mourning at his home.
“The girl was speechless during that time,” Raja’s uncle said. “She was clearly in deep shock.”
After completing his graduation in Mathematics, Raja was planning to pursue his Masters in the same subject.
“But after our father’s demise, he gave-up his dream and joined the police force with the help of the SRO case,” Aaqib said.
But his dream of becoming a top mathematics teacher and guiding the local students was still in his heart.
When he used to be at home, Danish said, Raja would call his students and enquire about their education.
“He would discuss and debate with us,” the long-faced student said.
Mudasir Nazir, Raja’s another student, termed his teacher’s “politeness as a heartwarming gesture”.
“He may no longer be with us today,” Mudasir said, “but he will always remain alive in our hearts.”
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