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| No impact of scrapping Article 370 at LoC, locals want bunkers to protect against Pak shelling | | | Agencies
Tangdhar, Aug 11: It was a busy Friday in Tangdhar sector at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir as locals gathered for the Juma prayers. The market in the town that borders Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) was open and there were less police personnel and presence of security forces on streets.
Abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir has had little impact here.
While there was heavy security deployment, barricading and a complete lockdown in Kashmir Valley with some incidents of violence also being reported, areas along the LoC are calm.
The population here, comprising of Gujjars, Bakarwals and Paharis, are cut off from the Valley.
"The activities in the Valley don't have a ripple effect in the forward areas bordering PoK," an official said.
Locals said they have a different identity from Kashmir. They speak in a dialect that they call 'Pahari' that sounds more like Punjabi.
For the people in this backward area, the larger issues at hand are protection from shelling by Pakistan, poverty and hardships like being cut-off from the hinterland for months during peak winter due to heavy snowing. For years the population here remains insignificant politically.
Mohammed Maqbool, a shopkeeper in Tenghdar, said he has no idea about Article 370. "Whether it exists or not, it has no impact on our lives. We need protection from shelling by Pakistanis. We have been appealing to the authorities to provide us bunkers," he said.
The area came under heavy shelling on July 30, with Pakistan resorting to artillery firing causing damage to property and also injuring some people. Fortunately, there were no deaths but locals are gripped with fear.
Bunkers are what people in the area have been demanding for a long time. Sources said 3,000 bunkers were approved long back but they have not been built yet.
For the people here the gateway to mainland Kashmir is the NC Pass or the Sadhana Top, as locals call it. The place got its name as many years ago the Sadhana, the cine star of the yesteryears, visited the place. Locals said they enter Kashmir only when they cross this pass, that is cut-off during winter with heavy snow.
As people in the area remain clueless of the impact of scrapping Article 370, there is hope that the decision will bring them to mainstream.
Shabbir Ahemed Shah, a 60-year-old farmer from Titwal village on the LoC, said if revoking Article 370 will help the youth get better education and jobs then the move will be hailed.
"We are extremely poor here and often face discrimination from Kashmiris. If this decision can change this, it will be great," he said.
The area is largely under the Army's control with locals historically supporting the Army in the wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971.
AR Badhana, a former member of the legislative council, said the Gujjar community has always supported India and they are proud of it. "Revoking Article 370 is fine but the state should not have been bifurcated. Full statehood should have remained," he said.
With the removal of Article 370, the government has reorganised the state and divided it into two union territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The youth in areas along the LoC are hopeful of a better future after the government's decision.
Amjad Dar, a first-year BA student, said it will be great if we can get jobs. "The areas need development, that's our big concern. Despite getting degrees, we have no jobs here. Getting jobs in Srinagar is also not easy."
Rafiq Ahmed, who is preparing for his Class 12 exams, seconds him. "Our parents are scared to send us to Kashmir. If the removal of Article 370 can get us jobs and security, our lives will change."
While there is no anger on the decision to end Article 370, the clampdown on communication is taking its toll on the people and that to ahead of Eid on Monday.
Badhana said the government should ensure that supply lines of ration are not cut and communication is restored at the earliest, at least in this part, because there is no law and order problem here. |
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