Migration worries Ladakh Buddhists
Tribune News Service

KARGIL, May 27 — The migration of over 20,000 persons from the Dras-Kargil sectors, most of them shifting to Leh, has started a fresh row between the Buddhist-dominated Leh and Muslim-dominated Kargil districts in the recent weeks.

The Kargil based Imam Khumini Memorial Trust (IKMT) on Tuesday issued a statement alongwith a photocopy of a letter by the Youth wing of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) addressed to the Deputy Commissioner. The LBA letter "caution against illegal intruders disguised as refugees" stated that "people of unestablished identity and doubtful credentials have recently entered our peaceful land, disguised as refugees from Dras (Kargil)".

The letter further stated: "It is a matter of common sense that legitimate refugees from an area can never think of fleeing away from their own district where the administration is better geared up to verify their identity and to help them genuinely.....

"You are, as such, requested to initiate immediate steps to send the ‘fake’ refugees back to their district before the tranquil atmosphere of Leh is vitiated. The administration will be responsible if the peaceful conditions of Leh are unduly disturbed".

Reacting to the contents of the letter, Mr Asghar Karbalai, general secretary of the IKMT said such a step was unwarranted on the part of the Ladakh Buddhist Association. He said such a statement exposed the "inhuman approach" of the people of Leh, who "refuse to give shelter to those in distress". Mr Karbalai categorically denied any such involvement of those migrated to Leh. He added that most of the migrants of Leh included relatives of the employees posted in Leh and its surrounding areas. He said Leh was regarded as peaceful in view of firing by Pakistani troops in other areas.

The Minister of State for Works, Mr Qamar Ali Akhoon, representing the Kargil constituency in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, also expressed concern over the reported letter. He said he would take up the matter to the authorities concerned. Regretting the issue, the minister, who has been camping in the area for the past two weeks, said it was "unfortunate and unbelievable". He added that it was wrong to brand the migrants as undesirable elements.

Referring to the situation arising out of the firing from across the border, the minister said the recent talks between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan had raised hopes of a peaceful atmosphere in the region. "There was a hope that there will be a solution to ease border tensions.... but there is no difference", Mr Qamar Ali Aakhoon said. Mr Aakhoon appealed the two Prime Ministers to come to the negotiating table to ease the tension creating trouble in the area.

During the past over two years, Kargil had witnessed a number of firing incidents from across the LoC. A number of lives had been lost and much damage had been caused to property. The areas which were recently attacked included Hardas and Battalik. According to reports more than 400 infiltrators had sneaked in and were hiding in the Kargil-Dras belt for the past three weeks.

The minister said so far at least Rs 2 crore had been spent on the construction of shelter huts in different areas, including Kaksar, where about 1000 such huts were arranged. The authorities had made arrangements for setting up one shelter for each family and the funds were being paid in instalments, he disclosed. Referring to the other arrangements for the migrants in Kargil district, where they had settled in Sanku belt, the minister said the quota of rice and kerosene had been increased.

Mr Qamar Ali Aakhoon disclosed that the Srinagar-Leh road that remained closed during winter, had been opened to traffic 25 days before, but the same was not being opened for supplies of essential commodities and public transport. He said it was expected that the road might be opened by June 10 to public.

The migrants had been living in houses in the Manji and Sanku area of Kargil district, while many had already been shifted to Leh.

Haji Ghulam Rasool from Bhemitgarh near Dras headed a group of over 10 members of three families who left their homes and hearths on Tuesday for Leh.

He planned to go to Leh as there was no arrangement neither had he any relation in Kargil for providing accommodation.

Passenger buses of the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation had been carrying people from Dras to Kargil. The drivers from the Kashmir valley complained: "We have been here for the past nine months.... without any proper accommodation and supplies.

Security vehicle blown up,
2 jawans killed

SRINAGAR, May 27 (PTI) — At least two security personnel were killed and 12 wounded as militants blew up their vehicle with a landmine in the border district of Rajouri, an official spokesman said here today.

An improvised explosive device (IED) planted by militants near Khandli Bhindi in the district went off yesterday, killing the two jawans on the spot, the spokesman said.

The injured were shifted to hospital where the condition of three of them was stated to be critical.