Man who 'spoke' to Doval didn't know he was NSA
What's the story
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has been camping in J&K for days now, reviewing security situation, and "interacting" with locals.
Last week, a video of his conversation with residents of Shopian emerged on social media, to paint a picture that everything was perfect on the ground.
However, the man seen in the clip didn't know whom he was talking to.
Here's what happened.
Situation
After big Kashmir move, Doval became Centre's man in J&K
The Centre took precautionary measures for J&K before it withdrew the special status of the state, by abrogating Article 370.
Heavy troops were sent, Section 144 was imposed, tourists were asked to return, and local politicians "detained".
After the big move, Doval went to Kashmir with a motive of quelling doubts of residents.
The BJP led Centre has maintained things are peaceful in J&K.
Meeting
Local thought Doval was actually DGP's personal assistant
As a confidence-building measure, Doval met locals in Shopian. However, one of the men told Indian Express he didn't know who Doval was.
The man named Mansoor Ahmad Magray is the tall one who wore a waistcoat, had henna-dyed hair and grey beard.
Magray, who is a social activist and retired forest range officer, assumed Doval was J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh's "personal assistant".
Introduction
Later, Magray came to know Doval was PM Modi's aide
Magray realized Doval was some hotshot only after he saw DGP Singh and Shopian SP Sandeep Choudhary standing with their hands folded behind their backs.
"I asked him, 'Sir, I need your introduction', and he told me he is the National Security Advisor of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji," Magray told the daily.
He said the clip changed his life and affected his family.
Quote
Wouldn't have gone to meet Doval, said Magray
"This (video) has changed my life permanently. People knew me as a social activist and that image has changed. If I had known that I was to meet Doval, I would not have gone, even if they had dragged me along," Magray added.
What happened
Magray was going to mosque when policemen intercepted him
Magray who stays in Aliyalpora is the head of a local mosque committee and regularly interacts with police.
On August 7, when the video was shot, he had stepped out to go to a mosque for afternoon prayers. Soon, he saw policemen on motorbikes. They weren't dressed in uniforms.
"They were accompanied by CRPF. They said I have to meet the DGP," he said.
Details
Initially, Magray thought he would be arrested
Further, Magray said there were 5-6 people in the station already when he reached there. He initially thought he had been brought in for an arrest.
"I told them, 'Show me the (prison) cell in which you want to lock me up'. They said it was nothing like that," he went on.
They were then taken to a bus stand where cameramen were present.
Quote
Doval told him revoking Article 370 will help everyone
"He (DGP) wanted me to talk to someone, and a man wearing a jacket came over. I thought he was the DG sahib's secretary. He told me, 'See, Article 370 has been revoked'. I said, 'I can't say anything'. He said, 'People will benefit'. I said, 'Inshallah'," said Magray.
Lunch
Magray and other locals were invited for lunch by Doval
After speaking for 10-15 minutes, Doval asked them to join for lunch.
"I told him we are the hosts. In the meantime, someone forced a plate in my hands. People say I had biryani... it was rice and a slice of meat," Magray said.
On returning home, he told his son about it and then realized the gravity of the situation.
Aftermath
Magray's family is upset with Azad's statement on meeting
His son Mohsin Mansoor said it has become difficult to move out after the video released. "Our relatives tell us that we have brought a bad name to them," Mohsin added.
He also said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad's statement that "anyone can be bought" was unnerving, as people are also singing the same tune.
They plan to file a defamation case against him.