Kashmiri MBBS student missing in Odisha

SRINAGAR: A 23-year-old Kashmiri student went missing from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhubaneswar since February 9. Suhail Aijaz Kataria, from Marsari Chowkibal in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, was pursuing MBBS at the institute from 2016.
Suhail’s father Aijaz Ahmad Kataria said, “On February 6, Suhail called me asking for money, which I deposited in his bank account the next day. Our contact with him snapped from February 9. We initially thought he was busy with his studies and hence unable to talk frequently. However, on getting no news of him till February 20, we left for Bhubaneswar sensing something amiss.”

“I reached Suhail’s college on February 22 and went to his hostel room, but couldn’t find him there. I called his friend who told me he had last seen my son on February 9, after which he had gone missing,” said Kataria. “I met college authorities who told me they had filed a missing complaint with Bhubaneswar Police on February 18,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police issued a statement saying, “Relatives of Suhail Aijaz Kataria approached the Kralpora police station alleging that he has been missing from his college hostel since February 9, 2018. Kupwara Police took up the matter with the DCP of Bhubaneswar Police and requested them to ascertain the whereabouts of the missing boy. DCP Bhubaneswar has assured early action into the matter.”

“SSP Kupwara spoke to the boy’s father, who is currently staying at Bhubaneswar, and assured all possible help from J&K Police in locating Suhail,” it further stated.

Bhubaneswar cops have recovered two handwritten notes from Suhail’s hostel room and are examining them for possible leads. Sleuths of both states are in constant touch with each other, top cops of Odisha, and with Suhail’s father in connection with the investigation, sources said.