J&K footballer shuns arms; Army won’t press charges

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Awantipore, November 17

Mother’s love changed the heart of 20-year-old footballer-turned-Lashkar militant Majid Khan to renounce violence and return home. His return was facilitated by the Army today.

Majid, who took up arms on November 9, walked unarmed into an Army base in south Kashmir late last night after fervent appeals by his family.

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General Officer Commanding of Army’s Victor Force Maj Gen BS Raju said no charges would be pressed against him. “The Army had received information on Thursday that Majid wanted to return. We did what was required to ensure that he was safely brought in. It was very brave of this individual (Majid) to shun violence and pursue academics,” he said.

Majid, he added, decided to return as he “realised the folly of the path he had taken and for that he deserves to be complimented”.

“No charges will be pressed against him. He can get back to normal life soon. We will provide him all opportunities to pursue his career in academics and sports,” the GOC said. “I would also compliment the parents, especially his mother, whose appeal and prayers have yielded results,” Maj Gen Raju added, while urging the youth who have taken up arms to follow in Majid’s footsteps.

The GOC later told The Tribune: “We don’t want to extract any information from him. When I met him around midnight, I told him to relax and have a sound sleep. We want him to go back to normal life. We also arranged a meeting with the family.”

J&K Police IG Munir Khan stressed it was neither “surrender, nor arrest”. “He has come back to his family on his own. Of course his parents and friends were instrumental in bringing him back,” the IG said.

J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: “I understand the predicament of young boys who have strayed into militancy. Most realise the futility of senseless violence and want to return home and live normal lives with dignity.”

The budding footballer’s picture had surfaced on the social media where he was seen brandishing a gun. His mother Ayesha Khan made an impassioned appeal in a video asking him to return.

Majid’s father Irshad Khan, who suffered a minor heart attack after he went missing, said: “He was the only support of the family. I thank everyone who helped bring him back.” 

Meanwhile, the Lashkar-e-Toiba, in a statement, said Majid Khan was permitted to leave for his home on the request of his mother.