Ranjit Thakur
JAMMU, July 5: At 61, Mushtaq Sheikh stands as a living embodiment of grit, compassion and selfless dedication. A retired Animal Husbandry employee from Doda district Mushtaq has spent over four decades risking his life in the turbulent waters of the Chenab river. In a mission that began when he was just 10 years old, he has retrieved more than 300 bodies, handing them over to their families for last rites, selflessly, without accepting anything from them.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Mushtaq’s remarkable journey began in his childhood, inspired by his mentor and swimming guru, Abdul Karim Naik from Pul Doda. “He taught me the early lessons of swimming and I started this work to help people,” Mushtaq recalls. As he grew older, his commitment only deepened. “I started this mission with a promise to myself: never to take money for this work. Over time, this belief got more cemented,” he says.
The Chenab river is notorious for its strong currents and frequent accidents. Every year, numerous mishaps are reported from the region. To respond to this, Mushtaq formally established the Chenab Rescuers (NGO) around 15 years ago. Today, it is the only fully trained private rescue team operating in the region, covering the stretch from Batote (Ramban) to Padder in Kishtwar.
The team comprises 32 members, most of whom are daily wage earners engaged in manual labour. Despite their modest livelihoods, they drop everything when a rescue call comes. “Most of our members are residents of Pul Doda, where almost everyone is a swimmer,” Mushtaq explains. “When it comes to saving lives, they never sit back; they always stand first.”
Mushtaq vividly remembers the most challenging rescue mission of his life – at the Dul Hasti Dam. “The water currents were taking us down and it was the most difficult task for me so far,” he recounts. In the initial days, he would use tyre tubes to rescue people. Later, Government support came in the form of air boats and eventually a motorboat, which was recently damaged. “We urgently need a new boat so that we can continue our operations,” he appeals.
Over the years, the Government and Army have extended their support by providing life jackets and other life-saving equipments. However, Mushtaq believes that more sustained assistance is needed. “I want the Government to provide jobs to at least four members of our group or engage them as Special Police Officers at suicide-prone points in Doda so that more lives can be saved timely,” he says.
Mushtaq’s motivation remains deeply human. “You cannot imagine the pain of families who lose their loved ones without any trace. We try to help them overcome that pain by providing the bodies of their lost ones so they can perform last rites and find some closure,” he shares.
During Bhupinder Kumar’s tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Doda, the Chenab Rescuers received strong support. “He was very supportive, although other officers have also helped us. But now, with our boat damaged, we are again in need of urgent support. We have always funded operations ourselves whenever required and never accepted money from families or any other persons” Mushtaq says.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2012, Mushtaq and his team were recognised at the National level with the Indian Positive Award for their relentless service. The team’s commitment extends beyond retrieval operations. They also teach swimming to local residents, especially those living along the Chenab’s banks, to ensure they can protect themselves in emergencies.
The Chenab Rescuers were recently engaged in retrieving the bodies of two siblings, aged 10 and 12, who drowned in Pul Doda, and a young girl who committed suicide in Thathri. Such incidents only reinforce their mission’s importance and the critical need for a trained rescue force in the region.
Interestingly, Mushtaq also briefly ventured into politics. After taking premature retirement in 2007, he contested the 2008 Assembly elections on a Bahujan Samaj Party ticket but was unsuccessful. Later, his wife was elected as a Councillor in the 2018 local body elections, reflecting the family’s deep-rooted commitment to community service.
Even after four decades, Mushtaq continues to lead every rescue with the same passion and resolve. His team of dedicated volunteers, all bound by a shared sense of duty, follow him unwaveringly into the most challenging and dangerous situations.
Through years of fearless service, Mushtaq Sheikh has become more than just a rescuer – he is a symbol of humanity, courage and hope for the people living along the Chenab. His story stands as a testament to the extraordinary impact one individual can have when driven by compassion and an unwavering sense of purpose.
Social worker Ishtaq Ahmed Dev praised Mushtaq Sheikh and his team for their decades-long dedication to rescuing bodies of accident victims and suicide cases. He said the Chenab Rescuers fulfill the last wishes of families by retrieving bodies from the mighty Chenab river, by risking their own lives. Dev expressed concern that despite their service, the Government has not provided them with basic facilities or insurance. He appealed that the Government should appoint them as casual employees in relevant departments.
Deputy Commissioner Doda, Harvinder Singh, acknowledged their exemplary work alongside the SDRF during accidents and retrieval operations. He said the Chenab Rescuers are fully trained and praised their commitment, assuring that the administration has consistently supported them and will continue to do so in the future.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
