Martyrs Graveyard Kalroos, Kupwara.
The first one reads “Number 1, Martyred on August 24, 2009, Jawansaal (Young)”, the second one reads “Number 2 “Martyred on August 24, Safaid Dhadi Wala Bhodha
(white bearded old man)”. Scattered between few graves that have
traditional tombstones, there are many that have tin plates inserted on
top. Numbers and scanty details of the appearance of dead is all that is
known about the people who lay burried.
The
caretakers of ‘Martyrs Graveyard’ here, situated in Lolab alongside
Kupwara-Machil main road around 112 km from Srinagar, started to number
the unknown dead after mass graves surfaced in Uri region in
neighbouring Baramulla district. The graveyard which spans over two
thousand square yards of land is maintained by the local Auqaf
Committee.
“On
the directions of Auqaf we started to write down the numbers and
identification marks of the deceased on tin plates to keep the count and
little bit identification,” says Ghulam Ahmed Bhat, who is one of the
caretakers, while pointing towards a portion where the grave fill is
scattered. The bodies have been exhumed.
Three
youth from Nadihal, who were dubbed as militants and killed in Machil
Sector along the Line of Control (LoC), last April, were buried in these
half-filled graves, he says. The youth were identified by their heirs
after pictures of their bodies appeared in local dailies.
But
their remains exist even after bodies have been excavated. A torn
jacket and a blanket hang on the barbed fencing. Bhat informs they
belonged to the Nadihal youth.
Locals
say more than 85 unidentified suspected militants lay buried along
with some residents. But, most of the graves remain unmarked with some
of them not even noticeable due to passage of time. Not many have turned
up to claim the dead.
“A
family from Highgam and two families from Zainagair in Sopore visited.
They cried in despair lamenting the fact that they were not present
during the funeral rites of their dear ones who were militants,” he
says, adding the families had somehow learnt that their dear ones lie
buried here.
The families came and erected epitaphs on their graves. “Now the families of the trio occasionally visit the graveyard and distribute dates, Turmeric-rice (Teher), milk or fruits among the locals for the solace of their hearts,” he adds.
Fear
is writ large on the faces of locals who seem reluctant to talk openly
about the issue. To break the ice seems quite difficult and it is only
after a disclosure of identity that they gradually open up. “They died,
it was their fate, but even after death, they have been stripped of
their identity,” laments Abdul Samad, an elderly local.
“When
the relatives of disappeared persons come to ascertain if their dear
ones are buried here, we suggest them to visit local police station,”
Samad says.
However, identity of just seven people is known and even the police have no written record about those interred.
“Our
response might be annoying their sentiments, but what shall we do? The
people we have buried here were unknown to us though seemingly Kashmiri
locals,” he remarks.
A
local police official not authorized to speak says they do not have any
records in the police post regarding the names or whereabouts of the
deceased.
“Most
of the times I could not muster courage to see the dead as they had
disfigured skulls caused due to heavy mortar shells or decaying,” says
Abdul Aziz, another resident who joined Samad and Bhat after noticing
movement in the graveyard.
Locals
claim that Lolab valley has many such graves scattered in forests and
villages including Sogam, Chandigam, Lalpora, Kuligam, Khurhama,
Bagalsar, and Moori, Boinar, where unidentified suspected militants lie
buried.
And,
with the confirmation of unmarked graves by State Human Rights
Commission, locals are questioning the claims made by the government
that the unknown graves are those of militants and not of civilians.
Villagers in this region these days discuss “cash for kill” although
covertly.
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