15-year-old boy ‘detained’ in Saddar PS Was picked up by CRPF five days ago, say eyewitnesses

Srinagar, August 19: A 15-year-old minor, Showkat Raina, son of Shafi Raina, a resident of Lal Nagar, Chanapora, was picked by the personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on August 15, while he was on his way to get bread for his family in Lal Nagar Chowk in Chanapora.

Showkat, a student of IX standard from a public school in Nowgam, excels in his studies and co-curricular activities. He is very hard working and patient too, says his elder brother Naseem.

On August 15, Naseem recalls, “The police arrested over a dozen youth after locals staged a peaceful protest in the area, against killings in the Kashmir Valley but were released later on. Showkat was picked up on the same day by the CRPF.”

Naseem added that Showkat was first taken to Chanapora Chowky, after which he was shifted to Saddar Police Station. “We tried to contact the police officials for his release but they kept on telling us that he would be released day after tomorrow. We are very worried about his future,” he lamented.

Showkat, who has been detained illegally without being booked under any offence is likely to be released on Friday according to the police, the family says.

From her Chanapora home, Showkat’s mother says that her son is innocent. “He has been implicated,” she said.

Meanwhile, a constable from Chanapora Chowky disclosed that Showkat was brought there after he was picked up and later shifted to Saddar Police Station.

When contacted by Kashmir Dispatch, police officials of Saddar Police Station said, “We have not made any such arrest in the area. We don’t have any information regarding the case.”

*All the names in the story have been changed to protect the minor boy’s identity.