JAMMU: The family members of young Aiyaz Ahmed who was allegedly tortures to death by police officials at Banihal have demanded a judicial enquiry into the incident and punishment for the guilty officials.

Aiyaz Ahmed hailing from village Bankote in Banihal area of Doda district succumbed to his injuries at Medical College, Jammu, on November 10.

The deceased had aspired to get en: rolled in the police and had applied for the post of constable recently. On November 3, when he was returning home along with his father, he was informed by the station house officer Banihal that S.P. Ramban had called him in connection with his selection in the police.

His father, Mr. Abdul Rashid narrated that the young Aiyaz, followed the police officials while he returned home, dreaming that his son would get employment.

As the boy did not return till evening, his father went to enquire about his wellbeing from the police station. He was old that the boy has been sent to the S.P. Ramban for the stated purpose.

His father said that it was only on November 5 that he came to know that his son was being tortured in the police lockup.

He said that all efforts to secure his release failed and they were also not informed about his involvement in any case. All the pleadings of family members and others went unheeded by the police officer there.

He alleged that the boy developed complications due to torture in the custody and was taken to the hospital at Ramban however condition ‘did not improve.

The next day Aiyaz was shifted to Medical College at Jammu but he succumbed to his injuries on November 10 evening.

The relatives alleged that the deceased bore torture marks all over his body and was bleeding from the mouth when shifted to the hospital.

MT he Doda district president of Youth Congress, Mr. Mehrajudinzargar has demanded immediate action against guilty police officials and a thorough ‘enquiry into the incident. He demanded that adequate compensation be paid to the family members of the deceased.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 17, 1995