Don’t use guns to settle grievances

MUMTAZ Khan (right) with former councillor Basit Shah

Devastated father’s plea to youth of Oldham

THE devastated father of gunned down Junaid Khan has appealed to the youth of Oldham not to settle grievances with weapons, but instead to use the law.

Mumtaz Khan made the emotional plea through the Oldham Chronicle after receiving massive support at a gathering in memory of his son on the first anniversary of his murder.

Christ Church Parish Hall in Block Lane, Chadderton, was overflowing for the gathering on Friday, which brought around 250 people to remember Junaid and to support his grieving family. Not everyone could get inside the hall, and others stood in the yard outside to pay their respects.

Mr Khan said: “I could not believe how many people came.

“I had expected maybe 50 or 60 people, but I would say there were nearly 250 there altogether.

“I am very pleased that so many came to give their support — people gave me respect I will never forget in all my life.

“Three of Junaid’s close friends gave a brilliant speech. They didn’t want to speak because they were shy, but when I asked them to please speak they agreed. They said they used to mess about smoking cannabis and Junaid used to stop them.”

Mr Khan added: “Junaid used to sort the youngsters’ problems out. He used to take the side of people who were victims.”

Local councillors turned out with community leaders to hear tributes paid to Junaid by his family and friends, as well as an appeal for information made by Mr Khan to find his son’s killer.

The former South Chadderton School pupil was gunned down in cold blood in the early hours of July 9 last year at the age of 21. He was shot 17 times in the car park of a doctor’s surgery in Block Lane, Chadderton, but a year on his killers have still not been caught.

His father said: “Someone is withholding information, and I only wish they could come forward to help solve what happened.

“I want to see the person responsible in court before I die, I want justice. Junaid did not deserve this. He was a nice lad. I was very proud of him, and whoever killed him has taken away all our dreams for his future.”

Mr Khan (61), who changed the name of his Lincoln Street shop in Werneth from MK General Store to Junaid General Store in honour of his son, is now considering setting up a cricket team in memory of Junaid.

He added: “I am also asking youngsters in Oldham not to take the law in their own hands, and not to do something against the law.

“If they have any differences between them they should bring it to their parents or community leaders before taking a weapon in their hand.”


How public can help

Police investigating Junaid Khan’s murder want to hear from anyone with information, specifically about a silver Mitsubishi Shogun stolen in West Yorkshire on May 30, last year.

The 4x4 was found on fire on the Ancora restaurant car park near the junction of fold Green and Broadway, Chadderton.

A partial registration plate — DG03 — was found near the vehicle.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161-856 3691 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.