VILLAGERS took to streets, students boycotted their classes and relatives wailed in front of officers, but these joint efforts failed to bring any news about missing Showket Ahmad Malik, a resident of Shahlal village on the outskirts of Handwara Township.

A year ago, when Showket Ahmad Malik, 17, left home for school at Handwara, his family members had never imagined that he would disappear. The Class XI student went missing from outside his school.

Malik's relatives, however, say he was picked by unknown persons linked to a security agency. "He was an innocent boy and only interested in his studies," said Asiya his aunt who live in Handwara. "Everyday, he used to come to my place and have lunch. The day he went missing he came at 1 pm and had a lunch with us. Then he left for his school." But before reaching school, Showket was picked by some unknown persons who had affiliations with Army, alleges Asiya.

The family searched for him every where in the Kashmir and other parts of the Valley. "But no body even acknowledged about his arrest," she says adding that the family also sought help from politicians and police officials. "We begged before those holding power and sought their help. But the officials only gave false assurances," she said. "No body came with a helping hand."

While the family started the search for their missing son, staff and students of the Higher Secondary School where Malik was enrolled went on a strong protest. The teachers and students came on roads demanding his release. The protests of students continued for four days. "I know him. He was only concerned about his future," says Ashiq Hussain his neighbor and friend. "I still fail to understand why he was picked up."

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