Kargil, June 26: When the ancestors of the denizens of Kargil moved in set up the township of Kargil, it was to escape war in their homeland. Centuries later, today's people of Kargil are having to flee their own homes to escape from the crossfire of the undeclared war between Pakistan and India. More than one-third of Kargil's population of 81,000 have been forced to seek refuge in safer havens.Kargil has witnessed its share of martyrs. Seven civilians have been killed and 12 injured, according to government sources. District commissioner Shaheen Kabra says:``Since early June, nearly 3,500 families, comprising 25,000 people, have migrated.''
Civilians have also been barred from commuting on the 200-km long Srinagar-Kargil highway, which has now been closed for security reas-ons.
Most of the displaced Kargil residents are living with friends or acquaintances.
Though the government is willing to provide tents, most of them have refused this offer. The government is providing some cash relief andcompensation to the families of the deceased and injured. But if the shelling carries on for long and if the intelligence reports about small militant groups targeting hitherto militant-free districts come true, a second migration will not be far in the coming.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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