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| Soldier still waiting for help | | | Vaibhavi Chandel
Jammu, Jan 27: Where more than a decade has passed when India won the Kargil war , brave soldier Mohammad Rafiq is still waiting for government help after suffering 80 percent disability.
The case of Mohammad Rafiq, 45, a resident of Behrote in Rajouri district is a glaring example of what our government does with its soldiers who fought for the country. Rafiq is running from pillar to post for the past 10 years (since 2001) for the petrol pump that was promised to him by the government when he lost his right hand and was severely injured during the Kargil war.
Rafiq of 12 JAKLI was posted in Batalik sector during the war in year 1999 as wireless operator. "Around 150 personnel got ready to capture a hill that was occupied by the Pakistani army during midnight. I was asked by an officer to connect to the base to convey that we have taken position and are ready for attack. As soon as I was connecting to the base, an explosion occurred near us".
"I could not hear anything after that. It was a flash of light and complete dark after that. I was unconscious for nearly 15 minutes and when I regained consciousness a large number of my colleagues were either dead or severely injured" he says.
"The firing from Pakistani machine guns did not stop from the top of the hill despite the fact that no one from our side could retaliate due to injuries" he says and adds that he later realized that a piece of splinter had pierced his right arm.
"I was rushed to Leh and later to Srinagar in the morning when the reinforcement took us away for treatment as a 100gms of splinter had pierced my right arm injuring it severely. Later I was sent to Delhi" he says.
Rafiq was declared as 80 percent disabled by the army and was promised a petrol pump.
"I have submitted all the documents but till now nothing has been done. I have 6 children, 5 daughters and 1 son, and taking care of their education and other expenses is becoming difficult day by day" says Rafiq.
"I had thought that fighting for the country will be appreciated by the government but till hitherto I have not seen anything positive from their side" Rafiq says.
Rafiq was given a compensation of Rs 13 lack at the time he got injured. "Although in my case I should have got Rs 22 lack as per the rules but I was not given the amount" he says.
"I stayed in Delhi for two years till 2001 and then came back to Rajouri after the condition became stable" he says.
"The money that was given to me has already finished as I got myself treated in a civilian hospital because the injury was not healing even after 2 years of treatment in Delhi. Other expenses of day to day life were also met with that money" he says.
Rafiq has also shot several letters to the Petroleum ministry that also assured a petrol pump would be issued to him as soon as possible. "This as soon as possible never comes. Every time they only reply that the matter is under consideration but I don't know when I will get what I deserve" he says.
J&K lost 69 sons during the Kargil war fighting with the enemy and many were left disabled, some even 100 percent.
There is a provision that only the family of a martyrs would get a petrol pump, however severely injured soldiers during the Kargil war were promised petrol pumps and gas agencies.
Mohammad Rafiq is not the only one case who was promised a petrol pump. Roshan Lal Wazir, retired Subedar from the same 12 JAKLI was promised a gas agency but has not been able to get one till now. Wazir is a resident of Jammu.
Wazir's battalion was given he responsibility to capture point 4812 that was occupied by the enemy. He was severely injured during the gunfight that ensued and was declared 80 percent disabled.
Meanwhile two day celebrations of 12thanniversary of Kargil victory started in Drass on Monday with a large number of soldiers posted there and families of martyrs taking part in it.
PRO of northern command, Lt Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that GOC of northern command will be the chief guest on the occasion on Tuesday. "A large number of families of martyrs from across the country will also take part in the function" Kalia said.
The function is being held at the Umpa La ridge in Drass sub sector that also saw army action during the Kargil war.
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