The Hindu : National : `Missing' man returns after 12 years

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 15, 2004

National

National

`Missing' man returns after 12 years

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, SEPT. 14. Ghulam Hassan Lone of Aloosa in Kupwara district had been declared "missing" not only by the Association of Disappeared Persons, but the Government too confirmed that he was "dead" and provided an ex gratia relief of Rs. 1 lakh to his family. He has now returned home after 12 years.

According to the local news agency CNS, Mr. Lone crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the early Nineties. His wife Sitara Begum tried her best to know about his whereabouts, but in vain. She approached the association working for the parents of those missing in "custody" for the last 15 years. Mr. Lone's name was added to the "missing" list.

Ex gratia given

After the Government formulated a policy to grant ex gratia relief and Government jobs those "missing" and confirmed by various intelligence and security agencies, Rs. 1 lakh was given to her. The process of giving her a Government job too began. Recently, the Government released a list of those "missing" by the association and stated that these people were either at their home or in PoK after they had crossed to "get trained in arms and ammunition". On his return Mr. Lone told his family that he was working as a labourer in Punjab.

The Trehgam police station in Kupwara also confirmed his return.

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