By Kulsum Mustafa, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: A freelancer journalist from Pilibhit, Shariq Parvez and his family, are living in constant fear of their life and property. Some heavy-weights of the area whom he had exposed through his newspaper reports are hounding him and issuing threats to him and his family. Shariq alleges that despite all proofs and witnesses the local police has been very unsupportive and refused to file an FIR against the culprits.
Known as a daring and fearless young reporter of Pilibhit, Shariq is a strong believer that the pen is mightier than the sword. Shariq was attacked immediately after he returned home after offering Eid prayers on Sepetmeber 21.
He told TwoCircles.net that when he returned home after the namaaz he found 20-22 anti-social elements outside his residence. They had sticks and other weapons and were trying to destroy the motor bike parked inside the verandah of his house.
“When I confronted them and asked them to stop damaging my property Liyaqat urf Pahalwan who was part of the team started firing upon me. I ducked and thus escaped the bullet,” said Shariq adding that just then a police jeep passed by which made the attackers flee the scene. But not before hurling abuses and threats and fired shots in the air.
According to Shariq the attack on him was because he had written a series of reports six months ago against some anti-social elements of the area. Indulging in illegal felling of trees, land mafia also lend money on interest and if the borrower failed to pay back they harassed him and his family. These people enjoyed the patronage of the local legislator as well as the police.
Shariq alleged that though first the Inspector of Pilibhit police station, Bhagwan Sahay and CO City Vinay Kumar Singh had after the preliminary investigation said they would file the FIR but later they said FIR will be filed only after further investigation.
Shariq alleges that the investigating officer is demanding Rs. 20,000 from him to register FIR as he has to give money to his senior officers.
Nearly a week has passed since the incident took place. While Shariq and aged father are running from pillar to post, the culprits are roaming Scott- free with no fear of any punishment.