Yaqoob’s family yet to come to terms with loss, demands justice

Tribune News Service

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Rakh Bharotian (Samba), Mar 1

The family members of Yaqoob Muhammad, killed in alleged police firing in the Sarore area of Samba district on February 22, are yet to come to terms with his death.

Yaqoob’s family is preparing to mark the 10th day of his death. His father Reham Ali says they want justice and nothing more. 

Yaqoob was killed on February 22 during clashes between members of the Gujjar community and policemen in the Sarore area of the Vijaypur Assembly constituency when the Jammu Development Authority was dismantling ‘kulas’ (temporary shelters) of Gujjars with the help of the police.

Yaqoob (24) is survived by his wife,  four-year-old son and one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. 

“I have lost my bread-earner son who was managing the affairs of the family. He was brutally killed by the police. No compensation will bring back my son. I want his killers to be behind bars,” Reham Ali told The Tribune while sitting outside his kula at Rakh Bharotian.

Around 350 Gujjar families have been living in the Rakh Bharotian area for the past 40 years. The area has been developed by the Gujjars on the banks of the Devak river in Samba district. They earn their livelihood by selling milk. 

Yaqoob used to look after the buffaloes and sell their milk to earn his livelihood. 

Yaqoob’s father said  since February 22, many people, including politicians and officials, had visited their house and promised compensation to them.