Jammu, Mar 6 (UNI) Amidst the shouts and sloganeering, ‘Hamara Sahil Kahan Hai, Indian Navy Jawab Do’, the family members of missing Indian Navy sailor from Jammu on Wednesday staged a protest in Gho Manassa village here in the city outskirts.
The parents of missing sailor Sahil Verma also called for a CBI investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance from an Indian Navy ship INS Kochi in Mumbai while on duty on Feb 27.
The family with teary eyes staged a protest and blocked the road seeking justice in the disappearance of Sahil Verma.
Nearly 200 shops also observed a shutdown in support of the agitating family members and relatives of the missing sailor.
“No official word is yet received from the Indian Navy on the disappearance of Sahil Verma,” said protestors stating that if no information is received soon, they will visit Mumbai to know the facts and press the government in finding the missing sailor.
“Eight days have passed and only assurances are being given,” said shattered parents.
“If the India Navy remains silent on this issue then nobody will send their loved ones to join the Armed Forces to defend the country,” the family said.
Subhash Chander, father of Sahil Verma expressed surprise that a soldier went missing from his naval ship and could not be traced.
The parents however, sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure their son’s safe return.
Sahil, serving as a seaman, vanished under “mysterious circumstances”, prompting naval authorities to mount a widespread search with ships and aircraft, which is ongoing.
“A high-level board of inquiry has been ordered,” Mumbai-based Western Naval Command had tweeted. UNI VBH SSP