May 20, 2004

The recent thaw in Indo-Pakistan relations has been a welcome one, however, the former jihadis are now facing problems of integration into society, reports Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri

Shaukat Khan, 28, a former militant from Srinagar who spent many years of his life fighting, is today content with his new life as a husband and father in Lahore. He refers to the recent thaw in Indo-Pakistan relations as a blessing in disguise, not only for him but for the many who have been leading a faceless life on both sides of the divide.

Shaukat crossed over into Pakistan a decade ago, along with a flock of refugees, who were engaged for militant training and political activities for the struggle of Kashmir’s right to self-determination. He recalls how life in training camps was not a bed of roses, and men like him had to make a lot of compromises.

Although he is content with his new-found life as a civilian, he regrets that the cause he once fought for might have suffered as a result of the sudden silencing of guns for the sake of the peace process. Nonetheless, Shaukat says that one of the happiest days of his life was when his parents came to see him from Srinagar last month, and he dreams of the day when he will be able to rejoin his brothers and sisters back home.

Similarly, Abdullah, another man who once had affiliations with a militant organization, is happy to be leading a “normal” life in Karachi today. He says that his and his colleagues’ sacrifices were made in vain and criticizes the leaders who used men like him for their own agenda. Abdullah, who is from Kupwara, wants to rebuild his life and keep away from the world of violence, adding that he has no intention of fighting a war that is no longer his.

As the India-Pakistan peace process begins to take roots, one comes across many such stories of men whose dreams have been abandoned. Many men who claim to have been at training camps say that life is becoming problematic for them without the patronage they once enjoyed. Food, clothing and accommodation are just some of the problems they face and they are hoping against hope for an end to their plight.

Most Kashmiris living in Pakistan welcome the recent thawing of ties with India, and dream of the day when they will be able to meet their relatives in occupied Kashmir. A number of activists told this correspondent that with the shift in policy, their lives have been made redundant. The level of frustration is growing and youngsters want to build new lives. They say many of them were in camps for quite a while, some for seven to 10 years, and are now feeling homesick.

Apart from other social problems that these young ex-jihadis face the big issue is that of rehabilitation. Secondly, they say they have been away from any academic or professional activity for more than a decade and are beginning to feel the pinch of unemployment as they try to settle down independently.

Sameer and Usman, who are both from Anantnag, have a somewhat more humane tale to tell. They said that since the ceasefire on the Line of Control, they have wanted to return to their ancestral village in Indian-held Kashmir, but are unable to do so for fear of being prosecuted or killed. They are of the view that if both the countries are interested in bringing around a change in Kashmiris’ lives, then a general amnesty is the need of the hour.

Azam does not mince his words when he narrates how he lost his arm in a grenade attack adding that the plight of Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan needs to be addressed on a priority basis.

Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir enjoy a stipend of Rs750 per head per month and an identity card, known as a ration card, issued by the local deputy commissioner. This correspondent learnt that during the last few months, since the ceasefire has come into force, dozens of refugee families have moved across the border into Indian territory.

Azam says there are hundreds of families inside Pakistan and occupied Kashmir who want to return to their ancestral lands but need the support of both the countries — if the peace process is to succeed in the long run.

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