A BSF Assistant Commandant from Jammu, who had written to Minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi requesting her to assist his sister find a hostel accommodation, has denied receiving any threats from militants.
Nabeel Ahmed Wani, the topper of the All India Examination for BSF Assistant Commandant (Works) last year, said his sister – a civil engineering student in Chandigarh – had been staying in a hostel, but the college authorities now want her to move elsewhere.
Wani wrote to Maneka Gandhi on 14 May, Sunday, asking her to arrange for hostel facility for Nida Rafiq as she was worried that she would not get a place to say as a Kashmiri.
He told Hindustan Times:
She was just worried that being a Kashmiri she won’t find a place to stay. Media should not unnecessarily sensationalise everything.
Wani said he has spoken to his seniors in the BSF asking them to allow personnel to carry their arms when they go on leave, especially in militant-affected areas, and also to secure their travel plans home. He is currently undergoing BSF training in Tekanpur near Gwalior.
He said he will go home for his cousin's wedding in next two months.
People like me and my family members are always under threat from militants. After the murder of Lt Ummer Fayaz, I am scared about my family’s security. My mother lives alone in Jammu while my sister is in Chandigarh. I worry, especially now, as terrorists are targeting our families.Nabeel Ahmed Wani
He topped the exam last year around the time the Valley was on the boil following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani.
He had written the mail to Gandhi on 14 May and he got a response the very next day.
The minister immediately took it up with the college authorities, who have now allowed Mr Nabeel’s sister to stay in the hostel.Senior Official, Ministry of Women and Child Development
"I am now worried for all those Kashmiris who are serving in the Army or paramilitary forces. We (Kashmiris) join the forces despite a lot of opposition and now, with this trend of killing Kashmiris serving as soldiers, a sword hangs on all of us. This is very disturbing," said Wani.
As for his sister, he is now comforted she will remain safe in the security of her hostel room.
“She is safe for now. Pray for her, she wants to become the first woman from Jammu and Kashmir to serve the Indian Army,” he said.
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