BASHARAT RASHID
Tral: The family of a youth, arrested by the NIA allegedly for strengthening the JeM base, refuted the claims by the probe agency, underlining he is innocent and driving a school bus.
On Thursday NIA in a statement claimed arrest of two militants—Tanveer Ahmad Ganie (29) and Bilal Ahmad Mir (23)—who were detained under the Public Safety Act and put in the Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu.
As per the NIA, the case against the duo pertained to a criminal conspiracy hatched by the top JeM leadership to strengthen the outfit’s base in India by recruiting persons for carrying out acts of militancy.
However, the family of Tanveer Ahmad Ganaie, a resident of Mandoora Tral contested the charges, saying Tanveer was a driver in a local school and was driving a bus.
“He (Tanveer) was a driving a bus in local private school. He is innocent and has no militant connections at all. Charges against him are fabricated,” said Ghulam Mohideen Ganaie, Tanveer’s father.
He told INS the family went were shocked on learning about his arrest by NIA and said that Tanveer was earlier arrested by local police and was booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).
“He was arrested on February 17 by police and they assured that he will be released soon but he was later booked under PSA,” he said.
Back home, his sister and mother were sobbing and pleading everyone to bring Tanveer home.
“All we know is that he (Tanveer) was a very pious and gentleman. He was driving a school bus to feed his family. The entire village is in a state of shock,” said an elderly villager.
The family and villagers have appealed the government to inquire into the matter immediately and set Tanveer free.
