Vinod Singh Negi
Bandipora is a remote picturesque border town located in North Kashmir just 30 kilometers from the Line of Control (LoC). This scenic town is surrounded from three directions by the Trimukha-Shamshabari-Harmukh ranges and on the fourth, lies the grand Wullar lake. The town has long been known for the three AAAs ; Ilm (Education), Adab (Mannerism) and Aaab (Water). Militancy gripped the town around the same time as other parts of the State during early nineties. It’s comparative isolation, proximity to a rugged and porous border soon transformed this quiet academically oriented town into a hot bed of militancy.
This real life incident is of a poor and simple family living on the fringes of Bandipora Town during the year 2007. The family comprising of the couple and their four children (two daughters and two sons) was of late being subjected to frequent searches by the Army. The explanation of the Army was the receipt of information about the presence of militants in their house continuously as also the common knowledge that some of their relatives were militants. The family while cooperating in the search was definitely getting weary of it. The constant queries by neighbours over the arrival of the Army were also annoying. It did not help that the girls in the family were beautiful teenagers.
The younger of the sisters was a rebel on her own right and decided one day that ‘enough was enough.’ She mustered all her courage and just walked into the concerned Army camp in the neighbourhood. At the gate she asked for an audience with the Major in charge of the Camp. Once in his presence she explained to him at length ; the impoverished state of the family , their innocence and as to how the constant passing of intelligence about them was the handiwork of miscreants seeking to earn a quick buck and also deriving the sadistic pleasure of seeing see them troubled. The Major apparently convinced by her submission told her to go back and promised her that henceforth they would not be troubled without concrete information.
The girl came back and did not tell anyone about her rendezvous with the Major, praying in the heart of heart that the he would keep his promise. However, the family was again woken up that very night by the arrival of the Army search team, lead by the Major himself this time. Though initially annoyed, the girl was soon pleasantly surprised to see that the Major had arrived with milk powder, can of kerosene oil and other items of ration. He handed over the much required rations to the head of the family, apologised for their frequent inconvenience caused and promised that they would authenticate the information in the future. Seeing the pitiable condition of the household he promised to look after them monetarily.
Thereafter, while the searches by the Army came to an end, a new kind of monthly rituals of the passing Army column throwing an envelope inside the compound wall containing Rs 2500/- every month commenced. The amount though small did help the family considerably in overcoming their poor state of finances and in educating the children. The family which today in a better financial state with the boys and girls having studied and settled well, remembers the benevolence of the Major and recollects this event fondly as “They Came in the Night as Angels From Heaven.”
Authors Note – This is a true story as narrated to the author by the family. The name of the family and the locality cannot be mentioned keeping in view their security concerns. Hundreds of such incidents in different forms underscoring the benign nature of the Army deployment occur every other day. However, they go unreported. The beneficiaries quite understandably are scared to come out in open due to the prevailing hostile environment. Nevertheless, the Army silently continues its benevolent activities in the service of its Kashmiri countrymen. “AWAM AUR JAWAN AMAN HAI MUKAM.”
This article is dedicated to Late Prof Manzoor Fazili an eminent scholar and a true Indian nationalist from Bandipora who proceeded for his heavenly abode on 07 July 2013.
Feedback – vinodnegi@gmail.com