Making ends meet: Families want their loved ones back
Women carrying pictures of their sons, fathers, husbands and brothers protest outside district courts.
Protesters demanded law enforcement agencies present those detained in court if they are guilty. PHOTO: EXPRESS
MINGORA:
Family members of missing persons took to the streets on Tuesday, demanding recovery of their loved ones.
The rally - which mostly consisted of women and children carrying pictures of their sons, fathers, husbands and brothers - marched on Mingora-Saidu Sharif Road and gathered in front of the district courts where they shouted slogans against law enforcement agencies.
“They took my son saying that he would return in five minutes but there is still no sign of him,” said 70-year-old Dilshad, a resident of Bandai Village in Kabal tehsil. “I have knocked on every door but nobody has heard my appeal,” she said, adding she has been taking care of her son’s wife and children in his absence.
The protesters said they are left with no choice but to beg in order to feed their families since their husbands and sons have been taken away.
Sajida, a wife and mother of two missing people, said her husband and son were taken away five years ago and she has not heard from them since. “Give me back my son and husband as there is no one to provide for my children,” Sajida pleaded.
“Today, despite the heavy rain, families of missing persons have come out to appeal to the authorities to end the torment they are going through,” said Saba Jan, a resident of Kanju Village whose son and husband were abducted in 2009. “In 2012, they took away my other son, assuring me they will send him back in 10 minutes,” she said, adding they are still missing.
Protesters demanded law enforcement agencies present those detained in court if they are guilty, “We are ready to accept any punishment they deserve but do it according to the law,” Saba Jan added.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2014.
Family members of missing persons took to the streets on Tuesday, demanding recovery of their loved ones.
The rally - which mostly consisted of women and children carrying pictures of their sons, fathers, husbands and brothers - marched on Mingora-Saidu Sharif Road and gathered in front of the district courts where they shouted slogans against law enforcement agencies.
“They took my son saying that he would return in five minutes but there is still no sign of him,” said 70-year-old Dilshad, a resident of Bandai Village in Kabal tehsil. “I have knocked on every door but nobody has heard my appeal,” she said, adding she has been taking care of her son’s wife and children in his absence.
The protesters said they are left with no choice but to beg in order to feed their families since their husbands and sons have been taken away.
Sajida, a wife and mother of two missing people, said her husband and son were taken away five years ago and she has not heard from them since. “Give me back my son and husband as there is no one to provide for my children,” Sajida pleaded.
“Today, despite the heavy rain, families of missing persons have come out to appeal to the authorities to end the torment they are going through,” said Saba Jan, a resident of Kanju Village whose son and husband were abducted in 2009. “In 2012, they took away my other son, assuring me they will send him back in 10 minutes,” she said, adding they are still missing.
Protesters demanded law enforcement agencies present those detained in court if they are guilty, “We are ready to accept any punishment they deserve but do it according to the law,” Saba Jan added.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2014.