Chotipora’s silence speaks aloud

Abid Gani Wani

Chotipora Langate November 30: Barely a few kilometers away from the hustle and bustle of Langate main town on polling day in the north Kashmir’s frontier district, a small hamlet of Chotipora unlike the other villages wore a deserted look and people were away from the polling process, as according to them, ballot can not balm the injures which was inflicted by the troopers in the recently mass movement.

In this hamlet, a 21 year old Fahmeeda lost her life on 25 August, (the day on which Lal chowk Chalo call was given by Separatists) fell to a stray bullet after the troopers went berserk and started beating up the youths of the village. The troopers later fired indiscriminately on the protestors who tried to defy the curfew restrictions imposed by the authorities.

 Abdul Rahman Shiekh, village headmen and father of deceased talking to this newspaper said that on the day of “Lal Chowk Chalo” call the authorities imposed curfew like situation in the area from 5 am.

“As the villagers, not known to any such restrictions imposed by authorities, came out of their homes to offer morning prayers in a local mosque, troopers thrashed them and beat ruthlessly. Angered over by the action youths resisted against the action,” said Rahman.

 Sheikh said that troopers start indiscriminate firing injuring several persons and made the people hostage in the mosque.

“Out of her love and affection for brother whom she suspected to be inside the mosque, Fahmeeda dared to venture out of her house to know the whereabouts of her brother. Finding one of the youth being beating by troopers she headed towards them to rescue the youth. As soon as she approaches towards them (troops) they fired upon her,” narrates the wailing Abdul Rahman.

Mohammad Musa 15 month’s old baby in the lap of Fayaz Ahmad, his father hardly knew what tragedy had befallen on him and he has been snatched of mothers love and affection.

 Fayaz told this newspaper that during the day time, they managed to divert the attention of Musa but once the dusk sets in, it is difficult to handle him.

“He roams around from one room to another in search of his mother and weeps bitterly for her,” Said Fayaz  

Taja Begum mother of victim although did not utter even a single word but the tears trickling down from her cheeks was enough to show her pain and misery which she tried to hide.