Baramulla, Oct 27: A month after losing contact with their loved one in Russia, a family from Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is desperately seeking government intervention to trace Aijaz Ahmad Gilani, who had travelled abroad in search of a better livelihood.
A resident of Saidpora Uri, Aijaz, son of Nazim Shah Gilani, had secured a job opportunity through an online recruitment process and left for Russia in September, hoping to improve his family’s financial condition. He is survived by his wife, three children and elderly parents.
According to his family, Aijaz remained in regular contact with them during the initial days of his stay in Russia, speaking to them over video calls every morning and evening.
However, his phone became unreachable after Oct 13, leaving the family worried about his whereabouts.
His wife said they briefly managed to speak to him the following day, when he informed them that he had encountered a problem and his phone had been taken away.
“He told us that some problem had occurred and that his phone had been taken. He said he could not talk to us. Since then, we have had no contact with him,” she said.
The family alleged that they subsequently received a message claiming that Aijaz had been detained and asking them to arrange a lawyer.
They were reportedly asked to pay Rs 2.5 lakh towards legal assistance.
His mother said the demand had left the family shocked, adding that they did not have the financial means to arrange such a large amount.
“If we had so much money, why would he have gone abroad in search of a job?” she said.
With no clarity about his whereabouts or condition, the family has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Jammu and Kashmir government to intervene and facilitate his return.
Aijaz’s children have also made emotional appeals for their father’s safe return, saying they are struggling to cope with his absence.
His case has renewed concerns over young people from Jammu and Kashmir accepting overseas job offers through online channels, amid reports of fraudulent recruitment and exploitation.
Authorities have previously cautioned job seekers against unverified agents and misleading employment promises.
The family has urged the authorities to establish contact with their Russian counterparts and help trace Aijaz at the earliest.
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