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Father of youth killed praises cops, but says no help from govt

Lucknow: The father of a 28-year old who was killed during anti-citizenship-law protests in Lucknow said the local police had stood by the family’s side after the youth’s death earlier this month.

Saifuddin Wakeel’s statement comes as a relief for the Uttar Pradesh Police that had been under fire from opposition parties and some rights organisations over their handling of the protests.

His son, Mohammad, was killed on December 19, after he was hit by a gunshot when he, according to his family, was out to buy medicines for his pregnant wife.

“We had been given Rs 1 lakh post the death of (Mohammad) Wakeel to perform the last rites by the chowk police circle officer, pooled in by a bunch of senior police officers,” said a friend who was with the 50-year-old. “The chowk CO (circle officer) is working tirelessly to get us justice,” he said.

Wakeel, however, said he had yet to receive any material support from the district administration. There were certain promises, part of which his daughter-in-law has received, he added. “We were promised a house, Rs 5 lakh and a shop. The daughter-in-law has received a house and the cash will be made available to her in a couple of days. They call me and make me wait for hours but no official procedure has been initiated in the direction of getting us the shop that was promised,” said Wakeel.

Source: Economic Times