The communities living at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, the first of its kind to include communities on both side of the militarised de facto border, to draw attention to the issues plaguing them. Territorial boundaries mean different things to different people, and when borders are contested and witness confrontations, the narrative differs vastly on both sides. The study focuses on the overall problems faced by people on both sides of the 758-km LoC, including divided families, and offers recommendations to underscore these concerns.
In the line of fire
People living in border villages find themselves caught in the direct line of fire during wars, minor skirmishes or other such incidents. The villages and nearby areas are also strewn with landmines, making people vulnerable. Mine accidents cause death or severe injury. Militarised fighting also lead to the destruction of homes and properties.
The discourse on their suffering, although covered extensively by the media, often ignores the other side. The plight of residents on either side is similar. Neglecting to take into account the impact of any action on people on the other side of the border does not help build a case for peace, but instead perpetuates war and hostility.
DISPLACING FAMILIES
Besides death and destruction, people living in border villages are often subject to dislocation and displacement, which not only has a physical impact on people but also psychological. No matter what the scale of hostility and action along the border may be, some degree of displacement occurs. Repeated dislocation is a reminder of the political and cartographic divisions, and often involves some form of physical and psychological brutality.
Being forced to leave home, being deprived of land, and being denied education and healthcare can have an adverse effect on communities.
As an outcome of the waves of displacement caused by repeated cross-border hostility innumerable people left their homes and in the process, their families were divided and suffered psychological and socio-economic consequences.
More than 6,000 people have been living in shelter homes across the Jammu region. Last week, after the firing started in the relatively calm north Kashmir’s Uri region, officials said 40,000 to 50,000 residents from nearly 55 villages were impacted by the escalation.
Since last week, skirmishes injured three civilians while at least five homes were severely damaged in Silikote and Churanda villages, which are perilously close to the LoC.
CLOSING OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The Jammu and Kashmir government was forced to close more than two dozen schools along the Line of Control (LoC) after the armies of India and Pakistan pounded each other’s locations in Chenab. On Tuesday morning, the district administration in Rajouri, Poonch and other adjoining places lying close to the LoC had to, once again, shut nearly a dozen schools. Many others along the five-kilometre radius from the LoC are likely to be shut indefinitely by evening.
Since the start of the year, educational institutions have largely remained shut due to the shelling in Jammu region as most fall within the five-kilometre radius of the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch. The state government recently closed more than 80 schools for almost ten days after the firing continued.
The state government said that with people involuntarily coming towards plains as soon as the firing starts, it had no other option but to close schools. It is the only way to save lives, the government insisted.
CEASEFIRE VIOLATION
The most affected areas like Tarkundi Gali, Lambi Bari, Khorinar and Dharand Panjgrian in Rajouri have borne the brunt of the fresh ceasefire violations.
The LoC and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir recently saw heightened violence. In January, at least 17 civilians were killed on the border while five Indian Army soldiers and four BSF personnel, including an assistant sub-inspector, died along with an intruder.
The civilian government led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, the Opposition National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and the Hurriyat Conference’s hawks and doves have urged New Delhi to start a process of dialogue with Islamabad but their pleas seem to be falling on deaf ears.
Recommendations
Border residents can be important in the process of reconciling cross-border issues. Uniting families divided by the LoC could be a bridge between the competing political positions. The opening up of communication channels across the LoC can also be extremely helpful. At present, India does not permit telephone services across the border, but this, along with easy access to the Internet, would enable divided families to connect and interact with their kin. Facilitating the movement of people across the LoC should be a priority for both governments, especially focusing on easing the process of issuing entry permits and increasing administrative efficiency. Further, involving members of the divided families in conferences, seminars and discussions on resolving the Kashmir conflict would bring their issues to the forefront and ensure these are addressed.
In addition, the governments should consider opening up new routes of cross-border movement. This would not only benefit the divided families, but also increase and encourage wider movement and interaction with different communities. It is recommended the study of the European model of a borderless world to adapt some of its ideas to the India-Pakistan context. For instance, leveraging cross-border dialogue for trade and people-to-people contact can boost economic and cultural ties, to the benefit of both countries.
******
