Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, India Mar 30-While the Peoples Democratic Party has called for celebrations over the Union government’s decision to refer the demand for demilitarisation to a committee of experts, the killing of 5 hindu labourers has sent chill down the spine of Hindus living in the militancy affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
People in the area feel that killings of hindus as well nationalist Muslims will be repeated if the hold of the Army is allowed to be weakened under the garb of demilitarization.
Despite the fact that demilitarization demand has been opposed by the Chief Minister, locals in Poonch and Mendhar allege that the process of relocating the army is under way.
Sources said that Village Panglar where the incident took place was under the supervision of 33 Brigade in Budhal which was recently moved from the area.
Residents of village Khanetar, Mangnad, Bainch, Darrah and adjoining areas assert that relocation of Army from the area under the demilitarization proposal would be suicidal for the people.
Ashok Kumar, a resident of the area, said “If fouj is removed from the militancy affected areas than the day is not far that Hindus will be forced to migrate from here as has happened in Kashmir Valley.”
Another resident said, that people in the area fear an increase in the terror activities once the Army is shifted out of the state.
Sources reveal that Buffliaz area in Surankote which has been one of the most militancy affected areas in Poonch is also likely to see a resurgence in terror activities as 20 RR has been removed from the area.
Locals see a pattern in the movement of Army as 26-Punjab which had a formidable hold in the Lower Krishna Ghati has also been shifted from the area. The people in these areas allege that life will be very difficult, if Armed forces are shifted out or their presence is thinned in militancy affected areas.
Hindus living in Draba, Surankote and related areas are saying that they have lost sleep over the absence of Army in their area. “We felt very safe when army was present but now the things are back to worst”, add a resident.
Here it must be mentioned that in the first incident of Hindu killings in the area, 6 Hindus were killed in Surankote. This incident marked the debut of killing of Hindus in this area and the same is continuing.
In 1996, 9 hindus were killed in Harni; in 1998 4 Hindus were killed in Hadi village in Mendhar; in the year 2000, 6 Hindus were killed in Magnad.
In addition, 25 Gujjars have been massacred in the Poonch area by the militants, 14 were killed by Morha Bachai, 11 in Marha.
Sources in the Armed forces admit that militants will gain an upper hand if the government admits to demilitarization demand.