Under curfew

The sectarian violence that began in Gilgit and Chilas on April 3 has created anarchy and disorder for the region. A curfew was imposed after shooting broke out between gangs from rival sects, which have resulted in several deaths. The sufferings of people are growing rapidly as shortages of food and medicine are being reported and those who are gravely ill are unable to receive the help they need. The parents of a nine-month-old boy suffering from kidney failure have requested that he be airlifted to Islamabad so he can receive the care and treatment he so urgently needs. Whether this will be possible is an uncertainty as the region has been blockaded in a bid to stop the violence. As for April 6, the break in curfew was only of two hours, which was just about enough time for the city’s harried residents to get hold of essential food items and the like.

It has also come to light that when the violence broke out, around 20 children were caught in the mayhem and though the school they were enrolled at sent them home, they failed to reach their destination. The children, all under the age of 12, were reportedly given temporary shelter by a woman who lives alone. Hopefully, the break in the curfew will have ended their plight. Many people in similar situations caught up in the midst of the crisis have also complained of the indifference on the part of the authorities because initially there was no break in the curfew. There is also concern over why the impending clash was not pre-empted and why local forces failed to act swiftly enough to stop the spree of shooting. Gilgit has known bouts of acute sectarian violence in the past. And the question on everyone’s minds must be: once the curfew is eased and lifted, what then?

It is obvious that something needs to be done to stop the extremist groups from operating out of sheer disregard and callousness. The problem must be brought under check with assistance from the authorities concerned to end the sectarian violence and urgently put an end to the misery of the people of Gilgit.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2012.