JAMMU, May 27 — The Kargil war was over a year ago but for the over 50,000 persons, the war for survival is not over. This is the fate of several hundred families from over 40 border villages of Akhnoor and R.S. Pora sectors who have been leading a life of refugees under tattered tents.

All that they have received from the Government is Rs 200 per head per month and a free ration of 7 kg of wheat-atta and 2 kg of rice per head for a month. This they have got for 10 months out of the 12 months of migration.

“We have witnessed 1965 and 1971 wars. We were back to our villages within 20 days of the end of the wars. But a year has passed we have not been able to return to our villages which continue to be pounded by Pakistan artillery and mortar shells intermittently,” said Lal Chand Sharma, a sarpanch and head of the refugee camp at Devipur village.

B.R. Sharma said, “We wish for death to come. We have no strength to live under tattered tents where we have no means to save ourselves from the heat wave.”

He said “during the day we are tormented by the loo. In the evening, duststorms tear our tents. But womenfolk have to spend hours together to sew the tattered tents.”

They are desperate. Anger and grief are writ large on the faces of these migrants not only in Devipur camp but in camps at Nai Wallah, Ramnagar and Thandi Choui. “Our children are the worst sufferers. They have no suitable schooling facilities. Many have become wanderers.” This is the general complaint of the migrants.

Lal Chand is annoyed with the Government because neither any short-term nor long-term policy was being framed for “our suitable rehabilitation.” While these migrants suffer, their villages, including Panjtoot, Pallanwala, Chani Darh, Dhar Khour, Hamirpur, Chakrial Gigdiyal, Badwar and Samoh, wear a deserted look. Crop cultivation has registered a 60 per cent decline. During the past one year, groups of migrants would visit their villages to carry out farming practices under the shadow of death. “Whenever we would start sowing, we had fled with Pakistani guns and mortar shells roaring and exploding in our fields,” said Darshan Kumar.

In the initial stages of their displacement, some missionaries and voluntary organisations had come forward with cash and material help. But that is over because no organisation could sustain by donating milk, foodgrains and money.

A year of tribulation has had a huge impact on the health of these displaced families. According to Dr Ashok Kumar, in charge of a medical camp at Devipur, the refugees have developed severe abdominal disorders, stress and diabetes. The birth rate has registered a marked decrease and referred to the Devipur camp, where 965 families are huddled in the school premises. He said during the past several months, only four babies were born.