Sheetal Banchariya
While militant encounters have become a common affair for the people of Jammu Kashmir, many households have been devastated, countless mothers have lost their children and dreams of thousands of youngsters have been shattered.
On October 21, 2018, the 9 Rashtriya Rifles of Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the local Police had followed the lead regarding militants’ movement in Laroo area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
In the wee hours of 21 October, the Government Forces including the 9 Rashtriya Rifles of Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the local Police cordoned the Laroo area of South Kashmir following a specific input about Militant movement in the area. The forces killed three trapped militants and are said to have “planted an explosive” after the encounter.
After the night-long gunfight when the encounter was over, locals went on the site to see the damaged house and know what had happened. That is when the explosive blasted. The officials claim that a total of seven people were killed in the blast.
A student of BA at the Government Degree College of Kulgam, 18-year-old Talib Maqbool Laway was one of those who were killed in the blast.
Two years have passed since Talib’s mother, Naseema, lost her only son and her hopes of a better future. Describing the horrific incident, she told The Kashmiriyat, “I had never imagined that something like this could happen to us. I identified Talib by the shoes and pant he was wearing. He was the only earning member of our family. He often used to talk about renovating our house, but all has gone into vain now.”
Talib aspired to join the Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) but lost his life while he was still in college. Despite the loss of his only son, Naseema has not turned cold towards the army. She says that war or violence of any kind only turns into a loss.
“Mothers of Kashmir are losing their children to the violence. Neither the forces nor the militants can reverse the loss. All we are left with is Sabr (patience) as we cannot fight the destiny,” she adds.
Another young boy, 17-year old Muqeem Ahmad Bhat lost his life in the blast. A resident of Kulgam’s Laroo, Muqeem was preparing for his class XII boards in 2018. Muqeem is survived by his parents, two brothers and a younger sister.
His sister, Rutba Jaan, who is 12-year-old now, tells The Kashmiriyat, “He was a studious kid. On October 21, he was studying in his room. Later, he had tea and left for the encounter site to see what had happened last night. We did not have slightest of idea that we will be seeing him for the last time.”
His grandfather, Ghulam Rasool Bhat, reminisces the dark day of October 21 and says, “He only had half a cup of tea in the morning and gave the remaining half to his father. After a while, I called him but he did not answer. He went away from the main door only to never return. He was our only hope and now we have lost it forever.”
Families of the deceased are not provided with any financial help or monetary compensation until now, which is a clear indication of the state’s irresponsibility towards Kashmiri civilians.
The tales of loss of human lives in Kashmir are aplenty. According to the data by the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a local rights group, more than 586 people were killed in 2018, including militants, Indian security forces, and 160 civilians. On the contrary, the Indian government puts the civilian death toll at 37. Amid the constant battle between the Indian forces and militants, civilians are constantly suffering.