Chadoora, July 1: For the first time in Kashmir, an application has been moved under Right to Information Act (RTI) seeking details of the disappeared youth some 17 years back.

Muhammad Ashraf Yatoo of Badipora Chadoora in Badgam district, went missing after he was arrested by paramilitary personnel in December 1990 during a crackdown.

On seeing the condition of victim’s family, a local social activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat submitted an application under the Right to Information Act (RTI) before the Border security force (BSF) officials, seeking the whereabouts of the missing youth. This is for the first time that such kind of application has been moved under the RTI Act.

Giving details Dr Raja Muzaffar told Greater Kashmir that Muhammad Ashraf, who was then 35, was picked by BSF 80 battalion in a broad-day light along with three other youth of the same locality on December 13 in 1990, during a search operation. Raja says that hundreds of people are witness to the arrest of the youth.

It was after Raja wrote to Director General of BSF, who asked him to provide all the information regarding the missing youth. “Under the RTI Act they are legally bound to provide all the details regarding the disappeared boy,” he said.

Ashraf’s elder brother Assadullah has left no stone unturned to trace his missing brother.  “I have been searching for my brothers’ whereabouts in interrogation centers and security camps but to no avail,” said Asadullah who looks after his missing brother’s four children (a son and three daughters). All the children were in 6-8 age group, when their father was picked up by BSF men.

“We have spent a lot of money in tracing Ashraf and in this process turned pauper and also failed to trace him,” he said. However, Asadullah still has not lost the hope. “I will not stop the search till I get the proof that my brother is not alive,” he added.

Ashraf, a government employee, was working as a storekeeper with Food and Supplies department. “He was the breadwinner of his family and was never engaged in any militancy related activity,” said Nazir Ahmad,  uncle of missing youth. Nazir doesn’t rule out the possibility of killing of his nephew. “If he has been killed, they should let us know the reality so that we will stop the search,” he argues.

According to Abdul Wahid, a neighbour of Ashraf, three youth Muhammad Rafiq Dar, Ghulam Rasool Dar and Muhammad Amin Dar, all resident Badipora were also arrested on December 13, 1990. Rafiq and Rasool were released after 13 days and Amin was set free after a month, he confirms.