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Even after decades, landmine victims await relief Poonch, June 19 Officials at the DC’s office say that only 20 cases of relief and compensation are pending in its records, but human rights activists put the number at about 550. It is no surprise to come across a landmine victim while travelling along the border. Faqir Mohammad of Shahpur village in Haveli tehsil says he has been visiting the Deputy Commissioner’s office for the last four years, but every time he is told by the officials to “come later”. The Commission recommends a compensation of Rs 1.5 to 2.5 lakh in most cases. “I was a potter with the Army. On May 16, 1986, I lost my left leg in a landmine blast,” he recalls, adding that he cannot lift even 2kg weight now. “I live in a snow-bound area. The pain in my amputated leg is unbearable in winter,” says Faqir Mohammad. “The artificial limb causes bruises and leaves deep sores while walking. I have to trek down 5km to simply board a bus to reach the DC office. But all I get is disappointment.” Mohammad Sadiq of Banwat village also lost his left leg in a blast. He is forced to beg for alms to feed his three girls and wife. Ironically, his name was amongst the 60 recommended by the Commission in 1996. “For the past few years, I have been spending most of my time begging in Punjab to earn a living. I don’t know how I will marry off my daughters,” he says, worried.The disappointed is so widespread that many victims have not approached the authorities for relief. Take the case of Mohammad Deen of Barbad Kerni. He lost his right eye and right foot in a landmine blast in 1994 while working in his fields. He has not got any artificial limb and walks with a stick, by wrapping the damaged limb in a cover woven out of grass. “Since the others did not get compensation, I did not opt for it. The accident ruined me. Due to my handicap, I could not get married. Now I live alone,” he says. Some victims do get a monthly Rs 400 payout like other physically-challenged people from the department of Social Welfare but that’s grossly inadequate, says local human rights activist, Kamal Jeet Singh. “I have filed 250 cases before the state human rights commission and the DC, but barely 10-12 persons have got relief in the past so many years. Despite being recommended by the commission, all 250 cases were dismissed by the screening committee at the district level.” Singh claimed that at least 550 victims of landmine blasts from Poonch district are awaiting compensation. “Government functionaries say that only those who became victims of landmines after 1991 shall get relief. Our argument is that Poonch has been facing war-related crises since 1947. So what is the logic in discriminating against victims who suffered limb loss before 1991?” he asks. The Pritam Spiritual Trust, Poonch, has been providing artificial limbs to mine victims since 1991. Its chairman Jagveer Singh says: “At least 61 per cent amputees due to landmine blasts in the border areas belong to Poonch district. Many died making the rounds of DC office, but never got relief in their life,” he says. Ghulam Hussain, who handles the relief case files and was deputed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohd. Matloob Khan, says, “We have processed 16 cases as of now besides four cases forwarded to the office of the Jammu Divisional Commissioner for relief.”
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