Footballer who gave up gun sent outside state for education

Footballer who gave up gun sent outside state for education:

Srinagar: The Army has taken 20-year-old Majid Khan, the footballer-turned-Lashkar-e-Toiba militant who renounced violence and returned home a fortnight back, outside the state for his studies.

The decision to shift Majid for education outside the state was taken with the approval of his family, a defence official said.

“Majid wanted to continue his education and the Army facilitated it and shifted him outside the state. He has again taken up his studies,” the official said, wishing not to be named. However, he did not divulge the where he was sent for studying, saying “we don’t want to risk the life of the young boy who took a brave decision by returning home.”

Before Majid went missing, he was an undergraduate commerce student and had passed classes X and XII exams with a high grade He was a known footballer of Anantnag town in south Kashmir. After he went missing, the promising footballer’s picture surfaced on the social media where he was seen brandishing a rifle. Khan had joined Lashkar ranks on November 9 for a brief period. His mother Ayesha Khan’s video had surfaced on the social media pleading with him for returning home. Majid’s surrender on November 16 was facilitated by Army. No charges were pressed against him by the security forces. However, Lashkar said Majid was permitted to go home on the request of his mother. After Majid’s surrender, he did not return to his Anantnag home. However, his family was allowed to meet him inside the Army base.

 After his surrender, the Army had promised him that it would provide him all opportunities to pursue his education and sporting talent. Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia had also written to the J&K Football Association, offered Majid a training stint at the Bhaichung Bhutia Football School in New Delhi.