Dr Kapil K Sharma
I am a doctor working at international border some where in Samba sector, can’t disclose exact location due to security concerns. When I received my posting orders, first thought which came to my mind was cross border firing and my safety. Family was also worried. Anyway, I prayed to God and left home to join my duties. On reaching my place of posting, I found a small five bedded Primary Health Centre. It was a common village nothing different except a tower called Border Observation Post. This tower was at a stone “throw distance. I was informed that this village is the last village and beyond this Pakistan starts. Staff was extremely cooperative and nice.
After settling down I asked them, Is this place safe? Pat came the reply ” extremely safe, sir, no problem at all.” I was really surprised how can a village almost situated at zero line facing Pakistan and at a point where forces maintain eye to eye contact can be safe? Answer I received was really hilarious.” It is safe because Pakistani shells overshoot and land in an area behind the village.” Actually this village is too close to Pakistani mortar position. Mortar shells hence fired fly over the village. These poor villagers were not worried about direct Sniper fire. These sort of threats were not dangerous to them.
After few days, I analysed there was a stretch of around two km from where one could even notice the Pakistani farmers ploughing their fields. This stretch was the point where maximum casualties take place. At this stretch movement towards indian side is extremely dangerous during ceasefire violations.
Anyway Doom’s day arrived – during recent cross border shelling this village was also targeted. Me and my staff was put on 24×7 alert. We were given clear orders not to shift the hospital at safe location till the border people are shifted.
I reached hospital literally crawling through the fields. That dreadful stretch was under Sniper fire and it was not possible to travel through that stretch. Hence I took a diversion and crawled my way to duty. Local staff was fully alert and was following standard protocol. When I moved towards my seat I was warned not to do so because there was only one brick wall separating me and any ill-fated sprinter or bullet. Whole staff was moved to last room which was considered safe. Heavy shelling was going on.
I asked, why the villagers are not shifted to safer location in spite of instructions by administration? They informed me that few village elders are refusing to do so. Some families have shifted their children and ladies but men folk are still staying. It was really frustrating, if even a single soul is staying back, then I have to make sure that skeletal staff stays back to provide first aid in case of any eventuality.
Finally I took a call and called upon the reluctant village elders. After having a chat with them I understood their compulsion.
Elders of village explained:
Administration is only shifting humans. What about our live stock? Who
Will take care of them? In case cattle shed catches fire or animal gets injured then who will help them?.
Now I realised we the urban elites don’t understand the hardships of these villagers. Loss of one cow or buffalo means a permanent lay off. It means from next day one of their kids has to leave the school and will be forced to become daily wager just to compensate that loss.
Another information I gathered which may sound funny to you but it’s a big issue for border residents.
It’s very difficult for these people to get a bride for eligible bachelors. People are reluctant to marry their daughters in areas where cross border shelling is routine. Shifting away from shelling zone is one of prime pre conditions. Young boys feel really frustrated. This could be one of reasons for high rate of road rage incidents in these areas.
Another victim to this menace are students. The moment firing starts border schools are shut. Apart from routine holidays and routine vacation these schools remain closed due to cease fire violation as well. It’s really a need of the hour to construct schools at safe locations.
Here most of people are ex servicemen having reasonable income. In spite of that, you will find only single storey houses. Double storey building means an easy target practice for Pakistan.
Farming is another issue. It is observed that incidents of shelling coincide with harvest season. That is because when crops attain good height militants infiltration is easy . Hence shelling to facilitate their movement. What it means to villagers is all their hard work is undone. One can imagine their plight and helplessness.
If I start discussing cases of post traumatic stress disorders, then I need another page.
In nutshell, life of border villagers is really hard. As this process of cease fire violation is not going to end, we must look for other ways to help them.
(The author is working with J&K Health services.)
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