Another youth shuns violence, ‘returns home’ in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 20: Days after footballer-turned-militant Majid Khan surrendered before Army, another local ultra has shun violence and ‘returned home’ following plea by his parents in south Kashmir.
      Meanwhile, parents of three more youth, who had recently joined militancy, have appealed to their children to surrender and live a normal life.
Official sources told UNI that a 16-year-old youth, Nasir Ahmad Dar, a resident of Damhal-Hanjipora in Kulgam district has shun the path of violence. “The youth had joined militancy last month. But, paying heed to the appeal by his parents, Dar decided to return home,” he added.
      An ace footballer, who had joined Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) two weeks back, surrendering before Army on Thursday night in south Kashmir. Majid had surrendered days after a video of his mother pleading him to return went viral on social media. The footballer’s father Irshad Ahmad Khan had suffered a heart attack on hearing that Majid was trapped in an encounter with security forces on November 14.
      LeT had claimed that Majid was let go by the militant outfit keeping the condition of his parents in mind. But, the claim was rejected by security force agencies.
      The Army had termed surrender of Majid as a 'brave move by the young man and said no charges will be framed against him and will be helped to rehabilitate.
      Following Majid’s return, three more videos of parents appealing their sons were doing rounds on social media. Two of the three youth belong to Shopian and Pulwama in south respectively while the third is a resident of Baramulla in north Kashmir.         
        Lt Gen J S Sandhu, Corps Commander, Chinar Corps on Sunday had asked local militants not to be a proxy for Pakistan and appealed to them to shun the path of violence and once again join the mainstream.
      The appeal of Lt Gen Sandhu to local militants was echoed by Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid and IG (Operations) of CRPF Zulfiquar Hasan during a joint press conference held at headquarters of 15 crops in Badami Bagh cantonment here on Sunday.
      Dr Vaid said it is a very encouraging trend that parents are coming out and appealing to their children, who have joined militant ranks, to shun violence and join the mainstream. 
“I would request other mothers to appeal to their children to leave the path of violence and surrender because we don’t want to harm anyone,” the DGP said. UNI