A distraught father weeps for slain son

Mangalore: It was a shot that did more than take an innocent man's life. It robbed a family of its young son and  breadwinner. Mistaken for a Maoist, Kabeer was killed by the  Anti-Naxal Force at the Tanikod checkpost  Saturday morning, leaving his old father, Idinabba, in tears.

“Since cattle transport has become risky these days, I told my son Kabeer not to go out Friday night to get the cattle.  But since the family was in need of money, especially to pay the rent of our house, he left and never returned,”  laments the 65 year old , who has hardly spoken since his son was killed.

Stunned into silence are also his ailing mother,  Khatijamma and an unmarried sister, whom he took care of. The family which lives in a small house in Krishnapura  pay Rs 6,000 a month as rent.

“The authorities killed my son. What would they have done if a citizen had done the same to them?” asks an angry Idinabba.

"Besides painting buildings, Kabeer also made a living by loading and unloading trucks. On Friday he was asked to  load a vehicle with cattle. Although there was nothing illegal about it, I asked him not to go as many cattle transporters have been assaulted of late. But as we were in need of money he left home at around 10 pm and never returned," he weeps.

The family wants their son's murderers put behind bars."The police must immediately arrest and punish the person who killed my son," Idinabba insists.

Though activists and friends have been demanding that the government  give the family a compensation of Rs 50 lakh, the distraught father says with tears in his eyes, "I lost my son. What do we do with the compensation? Will any amount bring him back?"

"Kabeer's eldest brother  Mohammed Ismail who was in the Gulf, has returned and is  searching  for a  job here. Another brother Shameer does small jobs.
Despite being the youngest, it was Kabeer who took the responsibility of the family," recalls  his close friend, Ashraf.