Feeling the pain
The past few weeks or so have been a phase of great relief for those people in Kashmir region who faced the ire of terrorists as their near and dear ones were targeted on one or the other pretext.
Thousands of people across the length and breadth of Kashmir were targeted since 1990-mostly for their political beliefs, their professions and even animosity-as many were labelled as informers and agents and targeted by the gun wielding men who had no accountability and were answerable to none.
In most of these cases where the innocent civilians were targeted and later labelled, the families did not utter a whimper fearing for more attacks and isolation in the society as well.
The situation during the early nineties was so tense and violence filled that everyone preferred to remain silent. The silence thus becoming a norm meant that the gun wielding men acted at free will and their so called leaders maintained silence over their inhuman behaviour as they has to secure their leadership under the grab of terror and fear.
The situation that continued for almost a decade did see some change after the local assembly elections in the region were conducted and the people’s representatives were handed over the reins to run and manage the region that was still grappling with violence, presence of terrorists and their sympathisers.
Importantly, the situation changed after the conduct of the elections but as far as the pain and fear the families who were targeted, remained intact and even worsened as very little attention was provided towards them.
Agreed that the issues were aplenty across Jammu and Kashmir at that time but a humane and empathetic view was seen missing when it came to rehabilitate the victims of violence spearheaded by the terrorists.
Not that, voices were not raised, but there were very few people to hear those voices and those who had to endure suffering, continued to face the ordeal without any ray of hope coming their way.
Now that a new chapter in the then violence ridden region of Jammu and Kashmir is being written, all those who had to suffer in isolation and burn under a deep sense of loss are witnessing some relief and succour as their voice is being heard, albeit after a span of three decades.
The government’s initiative to provide some relief in the form of jobs and financial assistance to these families has come late but at least a beginning has been made. Their long ending wait to get some recognition for the sacrifices they endured no doubt can be fulfilled by providing jobs and financial assistance, but the move will act as a reminder that someone will stand at their back whenever a family loses its sole bread earner or young, under aged children lose their parents.
The beginning is a new ray of hope for all those families who had to suffer in silence and wait for the day when their cries will be heard.
