Afzal Guroo was just two when his father, Mohad Afzal was arrested by the police for his role in the Parliament attack.
Relatives and friends have been flowing in to support the grief-stricken family
BARAMULLA: Seven-year-old Ghalib Afzal Guroo remains unaware of his father Mohammad Afzal Guroo’s fate. His mother is hesitant to tell her son about the news of Afzal’s date with death because he has just returned from Delhi after meeting his father in jail.
Ghalib was just two when his father was arrested by the police for his role in the Parliament attack. Since then he has joined school and is a student of first standard at the Noor-e-Islam School here.
His 28-year-old mother Tabasum Afzal is trying to put a brave face to shield his son. “Ghalib was pepped up after meeting his father in jail. Ghalib asked questions which his father answered smilingly. A few days back he woke up suddenly from sleep and asked me if Abu will be hanged. I told him no, that won’t happen…,” she says.
“My parents did not tell me initially about the news. I felt something is wrong when I saw my relatives pouring in. Then I switched on the television and heard the news,” said Tabasum.
“We had requested Afzal to sign the mercy plea but he refused. His argument is much stronger because he feels that come what may he would be hanged one day by the government. We are particularly saddened about the negative media trial of our kin,” said Ghulam Mohammad, Tabasum’s father.
Despite Afzal’s reluctance, the family has not lost hope. “I will again meet Afzal in jail and try to persuade him to sign the mercy plea. I hope when Ghalib will tell his Abu, he would consider it,” said Tabasum.
Meanwhile, violent protests rocked Srinagar city on Wednesday against the court decision to hang Afzal on October 20. Around 25 persons including six women protestors were arrested by the police. Some people suffered injuries in the stone pelting.
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