Fearing for the safety of the family, the topper of the BSF Assistant Commandants exam, Nabeel Ahmed Wani, has written to the government alleging that militants are threatening him and his sister.
Wani 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. He wrote to Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Sunday (May 14) asking her to arrange for hostel facility for his sister Nida Rafiq.
A resident of Jammu and Kashmir, Wani had topped of the All India Examination for BSF Assistant Commandant (Works) last year and is currently serving as an assistant commandant in the paramilitary force.
He topped the exam around the time the Valley was on the boil following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani.
"She was worried that she would not get a place to stay as a Kashmiri, especially with my background. I didn't want to involve the BSF in a personal matter, so I wrote to the minister," Wani told PTI over phone from BSF Training Academy in Tekanpur near Gwalior.
His request comes on the heels of the brutal murder of young Indian Army Officer Lt. Ummer Fayyaz by militants.
Wani had lost his father, who was a teacher by profession, some years ago.
Wani said he has spoken to his seniors in the BSF requesting 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 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," said Wani.
He had written the mail to Gandhi on May 14 and 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," a senior official of the WCD Ministry said.
Wani said, "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."
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.
(With PTI inputs)
