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My son died a martyr
By ANIQA HAIDER
Published: 16th April 2008
A POLICEMAN murdered in Bahrain died a martyr to his sworn duty to protect and serve the country and its people, his grieving father declared yesterday.
Majid Asghar Ali Kareem Baksh’s family is heartbroken, but proud that he died doing his duty, his father Asghar told the GDN from his home in Karachi, Pakistan.
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My son died a martyr
By ANIQA HAIDER
Published: 16th April 2008
A POLICEMAN murdered in Bahrain died a martyr to his sworn duty to protect and serve the country and its people, his grieving father declared yesterday.
Majid Asghar Ali Kareem Baksh’s family is heartbroken, but proud that he died doing his duty, his father Asghar told the GDN from his home in Karachi, Pakistan.
He dismissed as untrue reports that the family was seeking compensation from the Bahrain government, saying nothing could replace a “beloved son”.
A relative in Bahrain had earlier told that the family was seeking compensation and Pakistan Embassy officials twice confirmed that they were acting on the family’s behalf.
But an official denied this yesterday, saying that the embassy had been seeking to help the family with all the formalities, including compensation, but was no longer involved.
Majid was killed when masked men hurled blazing Molotov cocktails at a police patrol vehicle in Karzakan last Wednesday. Two other policemen were injured in the attack.
Majid followed a family tradition when he joined the Bahrain police force in 2005, following his now retired father and other relatives.
His death has devastated his family, but he lives on in spirit as a martyr to his duty, said his father, who returned to Pakistan in 2005, after 27 years in the force.
“We are all in deep shock and mourning on the sudden death of Majid,” said Mr Baksh, 52.
“This was a shocking news for the family and community members in Bahrain and Pakistan.
“But I am happy in a way that my son lost his life while serving Bahrain.
“Nothing can replace Majid, what happened has happened and that was part of his duty.
“He wore the uniform and took the oath to protect Bahrain and its people, which I believe is a big decision by such a young boy. We don’t regret his decision and what happened was already written in his fate.
“We, myself, my brothers and many other relatives, have served Bahrain throughout our lives and we know what a policeman has to go through while fulfilling his duty.
“I am proud of my son and don’t anyone dare to call him dead – we should all call him a martyr, who gave his life while protecting Bahrain.”
Mr Baksh said the family was not seeking compensation from the government, but was in regular contact with the Interior Ministry to meet legal requirements and follow up on the hunt for the killers.
“We didn’t ask for compensation or a specific payout,” he said. “We would accept the decision of the ministry, as we trust them.
“We fully encourage them to take their own time to make the decision, we would not interfere in the matter.
“As long as faith and trust is there, we believe that some good result will come out.”
Mr Baksh issued a heartfelt plea to be left alone by the media and urged journalists not to talk to other relatives, or people claiming to be connected to the family.
“We don’t want anyone to talk to us about anything more,” he said.
“It is between the government and us now and no one should interfere.
“My wife and my other children are still in deep shock and are not in a condition to talk to anyone, including community members.
“Please don’t listen to any community member claiming to be Majid’s relatives.”
Mr Baksh said he hoped to visit Bahrain in a few months, to wrap up formalities related to Majid’s death.
Pakistan Embassy community welfare attache Habib Gilani said yesterday that the embassy would not interfere, as this was a direct matter between the government and the family.
“This is a matter between the family and the government and we will not get involved unless the family seeks assistance,” he said. “We are very saddened by the untimely death of Majid and would like to convey our deepest condolences to the whole family and community.
“We would also like to confirm that if the family requires assistance, our doors are always open to them.
“We have already informed the Pakistan government’s Overseas Workers Foundation about the incident and if the family wants, it can assist them.”
His grandfather and uncle claimed earlier the policeman had also been attacked with sharp tools and severely beaten after being pulled out of the vehicle.
Majid’s body was repatriated Thursday night and was buried the next day at the family cemetery.
He leaves his father, mother Salma, 45, brother Azeem, 14, sisters Sanam, 25, and Zainab, 12.
aneeqa@gdn.com.bh
New law bans Molotov cocktails – 10-11
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© Gulf Daily News
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/1yr_arc_Articles.asp?Article=214715&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31027&date=4-16-2008
