Srinagar: Muslim Deeni Mahaz (MDM) has expressed deep condolences  and bereavement on the demise of its senior and founder member Farooq  Ahmad  alias  Bilal  Kakapori. 

In a statement to KNS, spokesman of MDM termed the death as a colossal loss to the movement. Spokesperson said that the police and administration is directly responsible for the death of Bilal  as he was repeatedly tortured. “For the last time, he was arrested in August while he was participating in the signature campaign for the lifers in Bandipora. He was booked under PSA and lodged in Kathua  Jail. From there he was brought to Pulwama police station and held their  where he suffered  heart attack twice on 19th  October. He was bought to Pulwama hospital where  doctors  referred him to SKIMS. But police instead of hospitalizing him handed him over to his relatives. Since then he was under treatment in SKIMS where he expired on 15th November,” the statement said.

The statement added that when body of Kakapori was bought to his native village people participated in his funeral in huge numbers and was buried amid chants for freedom, Islam and Pakistan. In Pakistan, his funeral in absentia was led by Ameer  Jamat-ud -Dawa Hafiz Syed, the statement added. He was associated with the movement since 1989, the statement added. “He was a close confidante of Ameer  Muslim Deeni Mahaz Dr Muhammad Qasim. He termed the death of Bilal sahab as a personal loss and said that even though he is incarcerated within the walls of jail but his heart lies with the family of the deceased.” (KNS)