|
Magazine
VIGNETTES
Dying links
LUV PURI
|
Travel across the Line of Control between India and Pakistan has failed to bring any benefits to those who need it the most.
|
Photo: Luv Puri
Last wishes: The ashes of Sant Singh Tegh being immersed in the Neelum by his family members.
“I could not visit my native land across the Line of Control. But I wish my ashes are strewn into the Neelum near Muzafarrabad,” said 100-year-old Gandhian, Sant Singh Tegh, just days before his death. Sant Singh Tegh was refused permission to cross to the Pakistani side of the LoC, to Muzafarrabad, the capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Travel across the LoC has been described as the most important Confidence Building Measure (CBM) between India and Pakistan. It has the potential not only to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Jammu and Kashmir but also to revive the State’s secular heritage.
But two and a half years after the first LOC point was opened on April 7, 2005, the mechanism has failed to bring any benefits, particularly to the ones who need it the most. The generation that would have been the principal beneficiaries of this measure are slowly dying and their passing away will mean these links across the border will never be revived.
Another case of denial
Kasturi Lal is a case in point. A resident of Poonch, Lal had applied for the permit to travel across the LoC last year to meet his childhood friends in PoK. In 1947, Lal migrated to the Indian side from his village Sehra in Kotli district of PoK. This adjoins Poonch district of J&K but given the animosity between the two countries, there has been little contact between people on either side. After the launch of the Rawalakot-Poonch bus service on June 20, 2006, Kasturi Lal was among the thousands who applied for the permit.
Ironically, his family got the permit to go across the Line of Control six months after his death. His wife Murti Devi says, “He had filled up the form with enthusiasm as he wanted to meet friends whom he had not seen for 60 years. He was 20 when he left his birthplace… Now this permit is of little use.”
Begum Jan, (99) a resident of Karnah area, Kupwara district on the Indian side, is still waiting for the permit so that she can meet her son, Ghulam Rasool, who lives in Muzafarrabad area of PoK.
Along the points on the LoC, where India and Pakistan have agreed to facilitate movement of people, one can witness poignant scenes. The old brave health problems as they do not want to miss out on the opportunity to go across. Anwar Bi (54) was hospitalised for severe cardiac problems when she learnt that she had got the permit. Her brother, Mushtaq Ahmed, lives in Hajeera area of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and the siblings have not met in four decades. Anwar Bi was brought to the Chakan Da Bagh point in an ambulance and transferred to another ambulance from PoK. Her permission had come after such a long wait, she was not sure if she could go through the process again. Before boarding the ambulance, Anwar Bi said, “The pain of separation from my brother is bigger than the pain from my medical problems. I have waited 40 years to meet my brother; I cannot miss this opportunity.”
The situation on the other side is no different. Sharief Tariq, from Mirpur, has relatives in Mendhar area of Poonch district. He told me that he had not met his family for more than four decades. “I have lost many elders of my family. My fear is that when I finally get to meet them, no one from my generation will be left,” remarks Sharief.
Surprisingly difficult
What holds back the movement of people on both sides of the Line of Control? The permit comes after the security agencies on both sides clear it. Due to militancy in J&K, the credentials of individuals coming to India are checked. Surprisingly in POK where there is no such fear, the green signal is not that easy to get.
There are other fears too. Authorities have to ensure that the person crossing the border will also go back. Nawab Din (100), from Mirpur area of PoK, came to Rajouri to meet his son in August 2006. When it was time for him to return, he refused. Later he moved the court and got a stay against his deportation.
Emotional and humanitarian reasons apart, the forcible return of PoK residents has legal and political dimensions. If a foreigner came to the State, the situation is different. Both the Indian and the Jammu and Kashmir constitutions are clear that the State, as it existed in 1947, is Indian Territory. Therefore residents of PoK are legally Indian residents. Travel across the PoK is restricted under the Ingress and Egress Act for those crossing illegally. But people like Nawab Din crossed over through legal means.
Social activists argue that the two countries should facilitate travel of the aged on humanitarian considerations as security concerns are the least in these cases. Yuv Raj Gupta, who heads the trans Trans-Line of Control Friendship society, says, “The two governments should realise the urgency of the situation. Aged people who have applied should be given priority to visit the other side of Line of Control. The authorities should not unnecessary delay their travel.” He adds that, even from the point of Indo-Pak peace process, the movement of the older generation is important as they can help renew the ties of friendship, which ties people of both sides of Line of Control together, irrespective of their religion.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Magazine
|
