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| Militants are welcome, not PoWs | | | early times report
JAMMU, Mar 1: Hundreds of militants, who illegally crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to wage a war against India, are welcome home, but no concern is shown about the Prisoners of War (PoWs) who fought for the unity and integrity of the country.
While the militants enjoyed freedom, the PoWs languished in various Pak jails for the past nearly four decades. It sounds strange to every right thinking man when the state and the central governments are ready to formulate a scheme to ensure the return of militants to the state, they are not bothered about taking up the matter of PoWs with Pakistan for their reunion with their families.
It was also surprising that though the two governments were ready to offer concessions to militants, they had nothing in their kitty for PoWs living under hostile conditions in Pak jails.There were about 55 PoWs, including six from J&K, in different Pak jails. They were caught while fighting gallantly for the unity and integrity of their country.
It is regrettable that the Centre had never bothered to influence the neighboring country for the release of POWs whose families were faced with the acute economic conditions. Since chief minister Omar Abdullah mooted the idea of amnesty to militants and union home minister P Chidambaram immediately endorsed it, the question that arises is that as to what makes the state and the central governments to take such a risky move which could well prove perilous for the integrity of country. At the same time, one wonders as to why government has shown no interest in ensuring the release of POWs. The raising of the issue of POWs would in no way grab the attention of the state government keeping in view its
political interests. The number of PoWs of the state is too less to be of any help to the politicians here.
On the other hand, keeping in view the number of militants in PoK, the policy of amnesty to them could well help the Congress and National Conference in consolidating their vote banks.
It is getting close to 37 long years since these POWs, believed to be at least 55 (31 from Indian Army and 24 from the Indian Air Force) in number, were captured in the enemy's territory but their families are still waiting for justice, as they're neither provided adequate financial help in the absence of their sole bread earners nor any efforts have been initiated over these years to secure the safe release of their beloved ones languishing in Pak prisons.Out of these 55 unfortunate soldiers, six belong to Jammu and Kashmir, precisely Jammu Province. More surprisingly, none from the side of the Centre or the state government pleaded their case at appropriate level to get them released from Pak prisons. Even no substantial help had been extended to their families who were braving the pangs of ill fate. |
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