Dardpora, (Baramula), September 20
Untouched by militancy for the past 13 years, this small village, located in the interiors of the Valley, is stunned by the killing of two Sikhs. One was caught in the crossfire between the Army and militants while the second was shot dead by suspected militants in his apple orchard on Saturday.

The Sikhs have not been targeted by militants after the outcry over the killing of 36 Sikhs in Chhattisinghpora but the question doing the rounds in the community in the Valley now is: are the Sikhs the latest targets of militants in the Valley?

This question was on the lips of the members of the minority community when a Tribune team visited the village here today. Mourners had gathered in large numbers at the house of the late Jang Bahadur, the latest casualty at the altar of violence in this strife-torn state.

His death was the latest misfortune to befell the family. Jang Bahadur’s two daughters, Sandeep and Paramjit, died in a landmine blast on January 21, 2001. Another relative, Harpal Singh, died on September 1, 2003, in the village only. An Army team, along with other youths took Harpal Singh to help them in search operations in the area. From one hideout, a group of militants fired at them and Harpal Singh was killed in crossfire. Two Muslim youths were seriously wounded in the encounter.

On September 13, Jang Bahadur was shot dead by assailants in his orchard. The police is investigating into the case but has not met with success so far.

The Sikhs are holding the fort in other places and have braved all threats after the advent of militancy in the state. They continue to live under the shadow of the gun. The recent incidents, however, have shaken their confidence. “We don’t dare to visit our fields and orchards now,” said Sujjan Singh, a senior resident of the village. “The youths are specially directed to remain inside,” he added.

Barring two incidents, one in Chattisinghpora in 2000 and the other in Mehzoor Nagar in 2001, Sikhs elsewhere have not been targeted by the militants in the Valley.

Against this backdrop, the recent killings have come as a shock to the community and forced them to contemplate their safety in the Valley. Already, the Pandits, another minority community, have migrated from the place long ago.

The remaining family members of Jang Bahadur are inconsolable. “The family was yet to recover from the shock of the death of the two girls and now this tragedy has happened.”

Sujjan Singh said for the past one week, the women have not gone out to fetch water from a spring, “They are too scared to move out,” he said. Though local Muslims have come forward to share their grief and are urging them to stay put, no representative of the state government came to nurse their wounds and assure them about their safety.

The village is bereft of any civic amenity even after 56 years of the country’s independence. No concrete road has been constructed up to the village even though it contributes immensely to the state’s economy. Telecommunication facilities are non-existent.