Swat’s sacrifices stand visible, but they remain unrecognised
Two years since peace was restored, war victims still await compensation.
SWAT:
The dark days of militancy remain a bitter memory in Swat. But for some, the scars are as fresh as they were two years ago when peace was seemingly restored to the valley.
Thousands were left wounded – many lost limbs and others their eyesight, while some were left psychologically scarred.
The government had announced compensation for all those injured during the militancy but two years on, the wounded are still struggling empty-handed.
Among the thousands of victims is Mukhtiar, an 80-year-old resident of Galoch, who does not consider himself fortunate for surviving a cannon fire attack by the skin of his teeth and losing just about everything.
“It was around 4 pm when a cannon ball landed near us,” he recalled of the incident when he was trapped after a wall fell upon him. The attack continued with the heavy gunfire, shelling and bombardment in the area. “Two people were killed on the spot, while I was taken to hospital,” he told The Express Tribune.
“I wish I had died (in the attack). I don’t know why God has kept me alive helpless and weak,” he said trying to hold back his tears. “My life is a burden on both me and my family.”
So far, Mukhtiar has undergone three surgical operations and is still waiting for compensation. He now has a walking disability as both of his legs were wounded and he can only walk with a stick or with someone’s help.
The elderly man’s chest, shoulder, back, arms and eyes were also severely injured. “I have just been released from the hospital where I had three major surgeries due to which I am neck deep in dues,” he said, while adding that the government’s promise of giving some monetary compensation is yet to be fulfilled.
Mukhtiar’s house was also destroyed in the attack; his animals were killed and his crops were destroyed. “I have been completely devastated and the government has not paid for anything,” he said.
He went on to say that security forces have been cutting down their maize crops in fear that militants will hide in them. When asked what he expected from the government, he said: “The government can not give me anything. They can only snatch from us, not give anything.”
Similarly Rab Nawaz Khan, 20, a resident of Amankot village, who was also injured in shelling by the security forces, told The Express Tribune, “I had completed all the requirements a year ago and my verification has also been conducted but I have not been paid yet. They just change the dates. I am tired now.”
An official in the DCO’s office said: “We have collected all the data and have sorted it out. As soon as the process of verification completes, compensation will be given to all those who deserve it.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2011.
The dark days of militancy remain a bitter memory in Swat. But for some, the scars are as fresh as they were two years ago when peace was seemingly restored to the valley.
Thousands were left wounded – many lost limbs and others their eyesight, while some were left psychologically scarred.
The government had announced compensation for all those injured during the militancy but two years on, the wounded are still struggling empty-handed.
Among the thousands of victims is Mukhtiar, an 80-year-old resident of Galoch, who does not consider himself fortunate for surviving a cannon fire attack by the skin of his teeth and losing just about everything.
“It was around 4 pm when a cannon ball landed near us,” he recalled of the incident when he was trapped after a wall fell upon him. The attack continued with the heavy gunfire, shelling and bombardment in the area. “Two people were killed on the spot, while I was taken to hospital,” he told The Express Tribune.
“I wish I had died (in the attack). I don’t know why God has kept me alive helpless and weak,” he said trying to hold back his tears. “My life is a burden on both me and my family.”
So far, Mukhtiar has undergone three surgical operations and is still waiting for compensation. He now has a walking disability as both of his legs were wounded and he can only walk with a stick or with someone’s help.
The elderly man’s chest, shoulder, back, arms and eyes were also severely injured. “I have just been released from the hospital where I had three major surgeries due to which I am neck deep in dues,” he said, while adding that the government’s promise of giving some monetary compensation is yet to be fulfilled.
Mukhtiar’s house was also destroyed in the attack; his animals were killed and his crops were destroyed. “I have been completely devastated and the government has not paid for anything,” he said.
He went on to say that security forces have been cutting down their maize crops in fear that militants will hide in them. When asked what he expected from the government, he said: “The government can not give me anything. They can only snatch from us, not give anything.”
Similarly Rab Nawaz Khan, 20, a resident of Amankot village, who was also injured in shelling by the security forces, told The Express Tribune, “I had completed all the requirements a year ago and my verification has also been conducted but I have not been paid yet. They just change the dates. I am tired now.”
An official in the DCO’s office said: “We have collected all the data and have sorted it out. As soon as the process of verification completes, compensation will be given to all those who deserve it.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2011.