Rubon Saproo
The chilling night of January 19, 1990 was not a normal night in the annals of Kashmir as it was the terrible night full of fear and provocation that every Kashmiri Pandit witnessed and experienced in the villages, towns and cities of Kashmir. The unprecedented calls of hate-filled anti KPs reverberated on that very night causing despair and unrest among Pandits inside their locked doors. There was a terrible fear across and no one knew what would happen in the next few minutes. In reality, on that night, KPs were left on the mercy of God, guessing “where they shall survive or not?” Actually, what has happened on this day of January 19 had left such an indelible impression on the minds of Kashmiri Pandits who so far have not forgotten the bad memories of that dreadful night.
Every Kashmiri Pandit who has a nightmare of that cold night has a lot to narrate about the horrific scenes which they and their families have helplessly experienced. There was chaos all around after the extremist forces organised big rallies across the valley all through a day where terrorists openly showed off their weapons with a motive to prove their presence and also to create fear among minorities. The mission did not stop there and they went ahead of their well planned program in the evening where clear and loud warning signals came from loud speakers asking KPs to leave the valley. This process of intimidation continued throughout the night causing horror among KPs who could not think about being alive in the morning. The government machinery had virtually collapsed and there was no one to ensure safety to Pandits.
Therefore, this day of January 19 has a great significance among KPs who constantly are holding commemoration ceremonies across the globe honouring the victims and survivours of terrorism. They are always demanding justice by setting up a commission to probe the sequence of events and reasons that led to the brutal killings of their members including women and children. It is not possible for the community to forget the agony and mental trauma which they had suffered during the extreme period of the nineties. Can victims of terrorism forget about the rape, torture and brutal murder of their sisters and daughters? Can victims of terrorism forget about the painful days of moving out of Kashmir when old, sick, weak and pregnant women have gone through miserable and challenging conditions? Can KPs forget about losing their homes and properties despite being the original inhabitants of Kashmir? These are a few questions which always hunt in the minds of the exiled community.
However, one can not show ignorance about the incidents of violence that led to abduction, rape and brutal murder of Miss Sarla Bhat, a staff nurse in SKIMS Srinagar and Girja Tikoo, a laboratory assistant at GHS Trehgam who was gang raped before cut into pieces on a mechanical saw. How can one forget about the killing of Naveen Saproo, a central government employee, while terrorists danced around his body? There were hundreds of such examples of inhuman acts. Therefore, such horrific memories are reminiscent of the KPs past. That is why every KP, no matter where he or she may be, owes it a moral obligation to give full honour to victims of terrorism who sacrificed their lives for the interests of the nation.
There is a need to recall the events of the nineties to make the post-exodus KP generation aware about the crimes and atrocities committed against their community by terrorists and their sympathisers. It is also important to let them know that life was not normal for a Kashmiri Pandit in the valley. There was a systematic program to eliminate Pandits. The terrorist informers were closely monitoring movements of KPs. Hardly a day had passed when the news of the abduction and killing of a minority member was not reported. One of the Kashmiri Pandits managed to hide himself in a rice drum after terrorists enquired about his whereabouts. The family somehow motivated terrorists that he has not returned home for the last few days. But, when the terrorists were about to leave, someone informed them about his presence on the top storey of the house. The terrorists rushed towards the top floor and indiscriminately fired bullets towards a rice drum that led to his killing inside it. It becomes very important to highlight incidents of killings as there is clear evidence in some cases where perpetrators responsible for killings are still roaming freely. In reality, the jihadi forces had caused upheaval in the lives of pandits who were feeling concerned about their safety.
The spate of selective killings has already started in a systematic way. First prominent faces were targeted in broad daylight to unleash a reign of terror among the minority community. Secondly, abduction, rape and thrown out of dead bodies on roads with the marks of cruelty was another method of brutality to create psychological stress. Thirdly, hit lists with words of warning were found pasted on various places to create anxiousness among KPs. Fourth, allegations of being Indian agents and informers were other labels on their heads. Fifth, it was patriotism and love for the nation that also added in the tally of their killings. Sixth, sloganeering in rallies particularly referring to KP women was a major concern for the forsaken community and so on. The radical forces were seen busy in spreading misinformation and hate against pandits to create an atmosphere of mistrust. The situation had become so bad that jihadi forces had taken control over every sphere of life. In such circumstances, what can one do? And, the answer may be to run away without taking any second thought.
There is a difference between an exodus and migration. The KPs expulsion from Kashmir is an exodus. The fact is that lacs of pandits have come out of Kashmir to save their lives and not for any economic earnings. They have left all forms of movable and immovable properties besides the physical attachment with the motherland. And, one can realise that it is not easy to go by such a courageous decision that will make you just like an orphan. The minority community under continuous threat from extremist forces could not sustain to live on their own land and finally resolved to take shelter in Jammu and other parts of the country. They were so terrified due to persistent intimidations and killings of their members that the only choice left with them was either to leave or to support their so-called freedom movement but pandits preferred to leave rather than to support their evil plan.
The post-exodus period was not easy and their struggle for survival continues till date. The last 35 years were full of challenges for them since they have to face many ups and downs. The trauma of exodus has left long term effects on them which are quite visible among young and old. The lack of economic resources, unemployment, isolation and unsettlement are few other issues which added to their woes. There are various unresolved issues in front of the community which need immediate attention and address .The community has various expectations from the present dispensation and they are hopeful that their long pending issues will get resolved without any further delay. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the community’s intellectuals, leadership and youth to move forward with an optimistic approach and dedication. Equally, it is also the responsibility of the governments to engage community leadership in talks to frame a comprehensive roadmap for their permanent rehabilitation in the valley. The rehabilitation of KPs is a serious issue and need to be addressed before taking various confidence building measures like that of recognising their genocide, conviction of their perperators and economic upliftment of the community . Further, the community is making a frequent appeal to human rights organisations that it can not shut eyes for a long time in dealing cases of human rights violations against the victims of terrorism in India.
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