Marrah Kulali: Seven years ago, Tahir Fazal led the first civilian fightback against militancy in Kashmir. He formed the Pir Panjal squad, the first village defence committee in the Valley and helped the Army take on the terrorists.
In the battle, 63 people of his Marrah Kulali village died, but they managed to kill 83 terrorists. However, now these villagers face complete neglect as well as constant threats.
Tahir Fazal says, "If they (terrorists) manage to kill a jawan, they are given Rs 2 lakh as reward, for a Village Defence Committee member, it is Rs 3 lakh and to kill us it is Rs 7 lakh."
This is perhaps the only place in Jammu and Kashmir where a meorial dedicated to the sacrifices of civilians and the Army stands together, but the villagers here say the real tribute would have been basic facilities.
For their bravery Marrah Kulali villagers were promised a road, electricity and a model village status. So far, nothing has come their way.
Village Defence Committee Member, Mohamamd Azim says, "63 people from this village have sacrificed their lives. Those who criticise the government are given facilities but we are being neglected."
And worse still, security in the village has been scaled down in recent years with 10 Army posts reduced to just two. This year alone, 10 people have been killed in separate terror attacks.
DGP Kuldeep Khuda says, "These civilians live under threat and wherever possible we do try to give them protection."
DIG Poonch Rajouri, SD Jamwal confirms that there have been many attacks on the villagers this year.
These bravehearts wonder why they have to suffer after all the sacrifices they made. For them, the fight against terror has now turned into a fight for survival.
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