By A Ghyasuddin, TwoCircles.net,
Karimganj (Assam): An eerie silence prevailed in Assam’s Bosla village in Karimganj district. The ill-fated family members of Syed Sarifuddin Khan who was lynched in Dimapur just a week ago, seem to seek help from any visitors ever since the horrific incident that rocked the country to their home.
If their 60 year old mother Jubeida Khanam was unstable and inconsolable, the brothers were restless to get justice. They know their son and brother is gone but all they now want is to ensure that such incidents do not re-occur.
Syed Sarif Uddin Khan’s mother Jubeida Khanam (left) is being consoled by a relative at their home at Bosla in Karimganj district. (Photo credit: Biki Saha)
“Is this the kind of reward for serving the nation as an army by our family? Reports say that my brother was not involved in rape. Will the Nagaland government now take the responsibility? How they say that my brother was a Bangladeshi?” a dejected yet angry Jamal Uddin Khan, elder brother of Sarif Uddin told TwoCircles.net at their residence.
He was seen carrying a file of documents of his father and brothers who have been associated with Indian army to display to the visitors.
Jamal Uddin, a Havildar of Indian Army in Assam Regiment posted in Shillong also urged President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to help in providing justice to the family.
Syed Sarif Uddin Khan’s mother Jubeida Khanam and his brothers at their residence.
(Photo credit: Biki Saha)
“It’s painful that nobody has taken the issue seriously. I appeal to our Supreme Commander President Pranab Mukherjee to intervene in this matter so that our family gets justice,” Jamal said.
The family has been claiming that their son is not guilty but a victim. After the Nagaland Government told the Home Ministry that it was not rape but ‘consensual’ sex, they now appear more determined.
The other day The Indian Express reported, “The controversy over the alleged rape of a woman in Dimapur that led to the lynching of the accused by a mob has taken a dramatic turn with the Nagaland government informing the Centre that it ‘appeared to be a case of consensual sex’.”
The report further said that the state government, citing feedback from the accused Syed Sarif Khan’s interrogation, has told the Union Home Ministry in a report that “Khan did not rape the woman”. However, the report adds that investigations are still on into the woman’s complaint and that the police were awaiting forensic reports.
“It well revealed the reality. How many times will the Nagaland government take to make the medical report public? These all seem to be very suspicious,” said Jamal.
Now, Jamal and his mother also want to meet the Assam’s Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi as they feel that adequate measures are not being taken. “As a member of Indian Army, I have every right to meet the State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to express my feelings and so does my mother. We are also hurt at the attitude of the state government. What my brother has faced in Dimapur is the ugliest incident that anybody can witness in modern world. Nobody from the state government has even felt of the need to ask how the family doing is,” he added.
Related: