Why Gurez could not march for freedom?
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30,000 civilians live amidst 60,000 troops
Mir TariqGurez (Bandipora), Sep 21: When entire Kashmir and parts of Jammu were witnessing mass uprising, the population of 30,000 in Gurez – a heavily fortified Northern region that borders LoC and remains cut off for at least six months – did not witness any procession. Reason: the locals say the presence of around 60 thousand troops deterred the inhabitants to display their solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren.
"We cannot bring out freedom processions here in Gurez as we are surrounded by Army from all sides," said Aijaz Ahmed a resident of Gurez. "Few people tried to march towards Eidgah on August 22 when they were informed about the situation in rest of Valley. They left for Bandipora wherefrom they joined the freedom march."Three brigades of army camp in Gurez which includes around 60,000 troops.Since mass uprising against transfer of State land to the controversial Amarnath shrine board, there have been no protests in Gurez.Ghulam Hassan Lone, an elderly person said: "It is hard to take out freedom procession in Gurez as we are dominated by army."Locals said that they have a grudge against pro-freedom leadership. They said except late Abdul Gani Lone, no one among Hurriyat leaders ever visited Gurez during the last two decades of armed rebellion.Inhabited by tribal Dards who were sometimes called war-like people by historians like Herodotus (4th century BC), Strabo (64 BC to AD 23) and Pliny (AD 23 to AD 79), most residents of Gurez are still unaware about the ongoing movement and protests throughout Kashmir valley in which over 50 people were killed and hundreds sustained injuries since August 11.This is due to the absence of proper communication."We always remain unaware about daily incidents of the State due to lack of communication. So we are unable to flow to our Kashmiri brothers who are facing brutalities in the Valley," said a resident of Dawer Gurez, Muhammad Saidullah Lone. "The only source of information is Radio Kashmir Srinagar but we never rely on it as it always carries biased news."Besides lack of communication, the business relations with huge surrounding army is also the cause that people in Gurez did not follow the voice of Valley."Besides having business relations, mostly the population here in Gurez is fed up of the surrounding army men," said Muhammad Subhan. "People get essential commodities like rice, flour, kerosene oil, petrol from the army. Even electricity is also supplied by army."Many residents of Gurez have qualified as KAS and IAS officers as they have Scheduled Tribe status.Gurez is a beautiful valley situated at an altitude of about 8,000 ft above sea level. The valley is rich with natural beauty, diverse fauna and wildlife. Kishan Ganga River flows through the valley. The road to Gurez Valley leads from north Kashmir’s Bandipore district.