Bengaluru: Though the current dispensation claims to have favoured the Kashmiris by opening up 50,000 landlines in the recently declared unionterritory, it is not serving any purpose for their brethren in Bengaluru.
Landlines being scarce in the era of smart phones, phone lines which opened at some points in Kashmir were either too busy with innumerable callers or were at such a distance away from them that people can't easily traverse. Under these circumstances, the insecurity within the Kashmiri community in Bengaluru about the well-being of their near and dear ones in the union territory continues. Those in need of medical care are unable to go to hospitals due to the curfew and their Kashmiri relatives in Bengaluru are unable to know their condition. Even as a last resort with prayers not showing any hope, some of the Kashmiris here are braving all odds to go to Kashmir and find out about their near and dear ones.
Amir Basheer Vani, employed here, is unable to establish contact with hisparents in Kupwara and has decided to travel home braving any risk if things don't change in the next two days. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, he said, “Only landlines have been opened for communication. Most of the people have done away with landlines and my family members will need to walk 5 kilometres to reach the nearest calling facility that is available in a police station. Two days ago, my father somehow made it to the police station but the queue was so long that he made it to the phone after hours of waiting. After all the efforts, all he got was a minute to talk and we had to avoid discussing a lot of issues for the fear of our calls getting tapped and the subsequent victimisation. We could not even talk about safety issues there and there was nothing much that he could tell me about my mother's condition."
Amir, who used to talk daily to his mother over phone, has not been able to do so since the last fortnight or so and feels guilty about it. Amir is also extremely worried about his grandmother who was sick when he spoke to her for the last time a couple of weeks ago. She stays in a different location and no one has a clue about her condition.” For everything, we need to show the curfew pass. How can people use emergency medical services if they have to go through so many hindrances in the name of security. Why the curfew? Why the armed forces? It's fine that the government has taken a drastic decision but let us lead a normal life. Let us walk on the streets peacefully, hang out in the open and manage our regular errands. Don’t take away our rights in our very homes,” appeals Amir. He also fears an uprising against the current dispensation if the same situation continues to prevail with the people getting frustrated over being caged in their own land.
Expensive flight fares, food scarcity Sahil War Kashmir, also working in Bengaluru is unable to get in touch over landline with his parents since many days. He regrets that no matter how much he earns here, it's not worth it if he as a son, is unavailable to his parents. However, if he has to go at a short notice and also reach Kashmir soon, the money he has to shell out on flight is about `20000 to and fro. "I am really worried for my parents. Because of the curfew, I hear that no food supplies are reaching there. Forget vegetables, people are not getting basic food items like milk or bread."
There are three primary zones where the landlines are available - Rajabagh civil line, the zero breach Sonawar and Dimara airport road. Rajabagh being an elite area, the access to landline is better compared to other areas of Kashmir. However, in downtown areas from Amira Kadal to Naushera, the landlines are barely available and people have to travel up to 100 kilometers to access the nearest landline, said Zafar Shawl, General Secretary, Kashmiri Association in Bengaluru.
"My elder brother is a government official in Bhagwanpura. He is suffering from prostate cancer and his being a government employee is not helping him.
I am really worried for him", Zafar lamented. He said even if people in downtown areas gathered their will to travel distances for phone calls,transport is not available in these areas. “The situation is quite volatile and the armed forces are deployed everywhere. In areas like Naushera where the historic Jama Masjid is located, Kaja Bazar every kind of movement isaffected due to reported incidents of stone pelting. Shops are closed andvegetables and other food supplies have been stopped here. The Kashmiri students in Bengaluru from Kupwara, Baramullah and Sopur are living inconstant fear since they are finding no means to communicate with their families,” said Zafar.
Irrespective of the political correctness or otherwise of the union government's decision, the Kashmiris are suffering and all one can wish for is that they can at least reunite with their families.
