SRINAGAR, Oct 19 (Agencies): The body of a labourer from Kokernag who had been missing for several days was found dead in Punjab and has reached his home, officials said on Monday.
Officials told GNS that a missing report was lodged on September 26 regarding Aijaz Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Majeed Dar, resident of Darpora, Hallpora, Gadool Kokernag, aged 28-29 years, who had left home for labour work.
According to the family, Dar had first gone to Srinagar about 20 days ago and stayed there for around 10 days before leaving for Ludhiana, Punjab in search of work. The family said they were in regular telephonic contact with him for about a week, after which his phone was switched off and contact was lost.
On October 17, locals of Hallpora along with the family members staged a protest over his continued disappearance, expressing apprehensions about his safety and demanding immediate efforts to trace him. The protest ended peacefully after intervention and assurance from SDPO Kokernag and SHO Police Station Kokernag.
Today, the body of the missing youth was recovered in Punjab and later brought to his native village in Kokernag.
Soon after the body reached home, family members along with locals staged a protest outside Police Station Kokernag, alleging that he was murdered and demanding a thorough investigation into the case.
Police has assured that the case will be taken to its logical conclusion. The protesters dispersed peacefully after police assurance.