SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Monday has raised the tragic death of Kashmiri student Salik Naseer from Safapora, Ganderbal, who was found dead in Punjab, with both the Punjab government and the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Office. The student was found dead in his independent room near Gobindgarh, Punjab.
The Association’s National Convenor, Nasir Khuehami, has spoken with Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, seeking urgent assistance in repatriating Naseer’s body to his native Budgam in Kashmir, the JKSA said in a statement issued here.
“The family is currently devastated and has reached out to us for assistance in expediting the repatriation of the deceased’s body. They are seeking support to bring his body back to Kashmir so they can perform his last rites,” the Association said. It has requested Punjab government to provide immediate support for the swift return of the deceased’s mortal remains, allowing his family to conduct the final rites with dignity. They have also demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into Naseer’s death.
Khuehami also took up the matter with Punjab Leader of the Opposition, Pratap Singh Bajwa, who assured him that the body of the deceased Kashmiri student will be repatriated, the statement said, adding that he had spoken with the Chief Secretary and urged him to facilitate the repatriation on a priority basis, providing further support to the grieving family.
Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha assured him of all necessary assistance and has issued instructions to the concerned Deputy Commissioner, SSP, and other officials to ensure the earliest possible repatriation.
The association has also taken up the matter with the J&K Chief Minister’s Office (JKCMO) for the earliest possible repatriation. They are in constant touch with their counterparts in the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), it said, adding that J&K Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani has assured us that arrangements are underway to ensure Salik’s body is returned promptly to Kashmir.
The Association urged the Chief Minister to expedite the investigation to uncover the truth behind the sudden death of this Kashmiri student and to expose any potential foul play, if present.