Family of Kashmiri man held in Delhi protests in Srinagar

Srinagar, Jan 12: Family members and relatives of a Kashmiri man, arrested by Delhi Police in connection with 2000 Red Fort attack case on January 10, on Friday staged a dharna near here alleging that he was being framed in the case after 17 years.

Bilal Ahmad Kawa has been arrested on January 10 from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport by Delhi Police and Gujarat Anti Terrorism Squad on charges of his involvement in the 2000 Red Fort attack case.

Kawa’s family, mostly women staged a dharna at Press Enclave near here demanding his immediate release.

They alleged that he has been arrested on “frivolous” charges and agencies are trying to implicate him in a 17-year-old case in which he has no role. They said when the incident had occurred Kawa was just a teenager. He was being implicated in the case, they further alleged.

Raising slogans, demanding release of Kawa, the agitators said he owns an accommodation on Chamelian Road, near Filmistan Cinema, Sadar Bazar, New Delhi is a frequently travelling there in connection with his business. Challenging the police claim that Kawa, father of two minor daughters, had come to carry out a major attack on Republic Day, the agitators said he was carrying just some eatables when he was arrested from airport.

The family members of Kawa, who lives in Aali Kadal area in the down town city, said he had gone to Delhi for medical check up.