Pulwama, Feb 22: The family members of Pulwama youth who has been arrested from Deoband in Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh on Friday said that he has no links with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant group.
Hajira, mother of arrested youth, Aqib Ahmad Malik of Chandgam village of Pulwama district said that her son is innocent and has no connection with any militant group. “He never took part in any unlawful activity,” she said.
Rayees Ahmad Malik one of the elder brothers of the arrested youth said that Aqib was in Deoband for past two months where he was pursuing an informal course called “Samaat”.
“Samaat is an informal course being offered at Dar-ul-aloom Deoband for which a student doesn’t need admission or regular attendance,” he said adding that it is a fact his brother had no admission in Deoband as he was a student of Samaat course.
He said that the provision of Samaat enables a student to learn like a regular student but he isn’t entitled to claim his degree certificate.
The family members informed that Aqib talked to them on previous Thursday at around 4:00 pm and informed them that he will be returning home after three to four days.
The family members said that Aqib after passing 10th class examination joined a local seminary at Chith-Parraypora in Pulwama and completed Hafiz-e-Quran course.
“He used to lead prayers in a mosque at police post Lassipora during the month Ramadhan for last two years,” they added.
They further said that he went to Deoband for further education but couldn’t secure admission as this year’s admission process was already over.
The family members refuted UP police’s ‘allegations’ and demanded release of Aqib.
