CNN iReport

By Sadaket Malik

Things were limping back due to semblance of normality in several hamlets of the state. The chauvinism and fundamentalism which saw its head high is no more revealing in the paradise.

Comparatively speaking, the terror attacks from the last one year showed less in number and human rights violations also seemed declined. It may be after the death of several legendaries of the state especially people representing the scholarly strata in remote rural hamlets. The insurgency came to an end owing to the contributions of our scholarly community who face the bullets of Gun. During the tumultuous days the area like Bhalessa witnessed migration of the people from Khaljugasar to Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh. The area engulfed under the terror attacks on common Hindus and Huslims, Children and women, elderly and innocents. The atrocities on the part of Indian soldiers were not less in number. The people ware harrased and some killed by militants and Indian soldiers, but no human rights Organization seemed to probe the atrocities of the people of this terrain.

A glaring example is that in area like of Bhalessa in Doda, several people were killed by both the insurgents and army man. Women were raped, children were killed mercilessly, Dr. Mujib ur Rehman of Bhalessa a first researcher from India’s reputed Aligarh Muslim University faced a bullets of insurgents when he spoked of the progress and education advancement of Bhalessa terrain.

It may be due to the assassination of this reputed scholar that area witnessed fewer atrocities on the part of both the forces.

A scholar rated highly for his contributions to education in Bhalessa. He was really a leader in the field of education and as ill-luck would have it; this learned scholar was not to remain among us for long. Dr Sahib’s irrepressible loss is a loss for Bhalessa and a loss for humanity.

This man with a vision was mercilessly assassinated by militants. The reason for the killing of this young scholar was that Sheikh Sahib spoke up for development and education and was a source of inspiration for the youth of the area. Packed with outstanding achievements in the area of education, he was the first researcher of the area to conduct an extensive study into India’s renowned Aligarh Muslim university.

With regard to the activities and programmes he was involved in, he was excellent in his own area of specialisation.

He had practically planned and constructed a "botanical gardens" in the government schools of Bhalessa. He was a great orator owing to his participation in debates and seminars at the level of University as well as in several local fora.

Younus Salim, of Tendla Bhalessa, was orphaned when his father Mohammed Sharief was killed during insurgency in his home

I narrate nothing but his vision to become an IAS officer. Younus has been adopted by SOS organization in Channai himat unit.

Younus was very recently on his way to Bhalessa to celeberate Eid with his mother, He expressed his tooth of tale with me. He was traveling in a bus from Jammu to Bhalessa. He held next to my seat. I snuggled and asked him his name and residence. He told me he has been in SOS since his father was killed by the militants. I shrugged in my mind and I interviewed him to tell all about his episode and future studies. He told me in hushed tone all about him when bus was plying towards Bhalessa, He has been in SOS when he was a child he adds.

We reached the mountainous slopes of Doda and he asked me "I have been orphaned but I don’t feel alone due to other SOS friends" No body looks after me except SOS organization, he added. Younus perceives Matriculation from SOS.

I questioned him what is his ambition and future plan, he told me he wants to become an IAS officer in response to my query.

We reached Thathri hamlet wherein we both entered a tea shop whose amiable owner rustled to us a spontaneous meal of Rajma Chawal (popular meal in these parts)

We shared a single table. After we finally retired to Bhatyas, the home village of Younus where her mother resides, I found myself alone. I hugged him in a farewell and promised him that I will highlight this instance in local media. He asked me to visit the sos home after celeberation of holy Eid.

The contribution of such innocents and scholarly community has by and large contributed their lives for ending insurgency in the area.

The area is witnessing a polarization free area, there are some other forces at work to ensure peace, It may be due to the coming up of new educational institutions, The stress is on education and higher objectives, people are busy in participating the developmental programmes like NREGS, and Employment schemes initiated by the central and state governments.