Late Khushal Singh Manhas, was father-in-law of my father-in-law . At the time of partition he was discharging his duties at Bhimber. It was the period when everyone was guessing all the time about the fate to be fallen on them in the state. As partition of the country on religious lines was agreed to. Even date announced and work on dissecting it on the whims and fancy of those at the helm of affairs. Without any rhyme and reason. Was to be completed as to be completed at supersonic speed. Majority in the state were of the view that Maharaja will like to be independent. There were many takers .
But still among Muslims a section were of the view that Pakistan will not allow it to remain so. And that that proved right. Communal clashes cropped up from the spark of mismanagement and mistrust engulfed the area like wild jungle fire. And those who wanted to save their dear one’s own or known couldn’t do so. Watching haplessly the inferno of hate.
Though the last caravan of refugees from other side of the fence had reached jammu since . Khushal Singh did not reach home even after months.On inquiry it transpired that till last he was there but with Afradis in ,every one ran helter shelter as such nothing heard of him thereafter. All circumstances evidences collected , gave enough reason to believe that he has been killed and without waiting further last rites for the departed soul has to be performed as per ritual to relive him of the bondage.
Elders agreed ,accordingly rituals’ were performed and his wife now donned the apparels as widow. Time ticked on as it is supposed to do, days ran into nights, together it formed weeks which went to be counted as months and as also referred as to be great healer the unfortunate so called widow started reconciling with the reality and the future of her children numbering eight haunted her all the time, thought she had plenty to sustain as the family has enough land in three villages , Patta Ploura,janipur,Akalpur and Sangrampur ,but to manage was uphill task.
One night in her half sleep she sensed the coming of a someone , it was pitch dark, thought in the dead of night can be a thief ,but dogs did not bark ,thought just an illusion , but little later she heard soft footsteps, coming nearer, now wide awake out of fright, was stunned to hear her name being called by the intruder, voice seemed familiar that of her husband ,but he is dead ,so again presumed illusion ,her name repeated , she thought the spirit of her husband we call Bhoot, but before she cried , Khushal took her hand and said it is me feel I am alive not Bhoot Her joy knew no bounds so was the case with others.
Khushal Singh narrated the tale of his miraculous escape from the jaws of the death.,, he was put behind the gap between wall and the Alamerah meant for storing the medicines ,by his subordinates who were local Muslims, and swore to the attackers that none other than their own are there, they were right ,staff called him their own elder brother.
At an appropriate opportunity he was whisked away to safe place kept hiding for days and from there when it was assured the trouble has subsided he was escorted through jungles provided enough baked Grams to sustain , which is staple diet of Dogra Warriors, to safety till the line of control ,.From there he traversed the entire journey like others before him on foot, which was long arduous and time consuming.
His neighbours, relatives dear and near and whosoever heard it. Had all praise for his saviours. Even darkest Holocaust nights a speak of hope of humanity exists. My wife and myself had wished together we will go to Bhimber .Beside Kotli to thank decedents of those who saved her maternal grandfather and my father.
As regards my father who was posted at Kotli as engineer .Was assured by Muslim to take him safely to Poonch. But he refused on account of mistrust writ large on all sides. Though who offered for his rescue he had complete faith. 24th of November 47, a column of Indian Army in the afternoon entered the Kotli town from Jhangar. Kotli and Mirpur are equidistance from Jangher. Mirpur was district headquarter . But die was cast in favour of Kotli .Because of the fact Colonel Baldev Singh Pathania of state forces had He as transpired requested signalled to be rescued. Beside commorade in arms.
He was close relative of Maharaja Hari Singh. Public was happy for the relief thought skirmishes and conflict is over now. But it was not so to be . As to retrieve non kashmiri areas were not in the scheme of the Government of India. As it proved so till date. At about 3 PM the Indian Army asked the people of the Kotli inhabitants to vacate the town next morning. And made it quite clean in unambiguous words that the army will be going back and will have no responsibility for them.
As my father being in stae service in Public Works Department. He was called by the Army officer and directed to have cleared bottle necks for smooth passage in the a near by stream . Local work force was on the otherside and stream under direct fire of enemy.A piquant situation between deep sea and devil.Any way mustering courage believein in God .He went to the spot.To his surprise .
A gan coolie Wilayat Khan, his father numbardar of the village Jerman Khan and probably Shab Din, in whose arms i was fondled.Numbardar requested father to go back..But my father said bullet too is waiting from Army side for failing to comply orders.He after a thought said that in the name of God.They are supposed to honour the salt which my nmother often served with knind hospitality .As such assured my father passage will be cleared.
Father again in doubt.As how.He said when i will wave white henckerchief be assured work is done.From safe view father saw under hail of bullets he along with his firends and family members clread the bottle neck. At the risk of his own. The next day the people followed on foot the Colonel It was only Col Baldev Singh Pathania who provided two trucks for the injured and the disabled. No body knew where to go and Army trucks in shape of a Caravan Baldev Singh Pathania requested the Indian Army commander to give them some weapons and some platoons of jawans. But there was a flat refusal from the Indian Army….the town had to be evacuated because of a decision taken by the British officers in Army HQ..
In the same vien a young one born much later after partition in Reasi managed some how visa to visit his fathers sister. Many came to visit him from various parts of Pakistan who had fled for life in turmoil. Each one asked for his or her class mate bossom friends or others. He had take a few token gifts. While offering best Kashmiri clothes and Shawl, the elder lady while thanking him for the gesture. Expressed her heart that these are of no value in comparison if he had brought water from Spring Sula Reasi to drink before she die in peace.
Another aunt asked him about River Ans as she had spend her teen there. Same way my nephew Sohail from Baranala Akhnoor sector want to pay visit to the graves of his grand father and uncle who were killed in frenzy at Akhnoor.So is the cherished desire from Deva Battal to visit graves of their elders in Nowshere area , not knowing exact location. Another one want to visit Billawer area to trace his ancestors.
Sough help to locate through Marasees. she left without her cherished desire fulfilled, I feel sorry for her , a sincere better-half and noble lady who served her patients with missionary zeal till lastVilayat Khan’s lived in a village close to Tatapani up stream of the Poonch River where his father was a Numberdar.Vilayat had a younger brother named Fallu Khan,about my age but way taller schooling at Tatapani school.
I did my 7th,8th and part of 9th Standard in the Govt. High School,Kotli.Akhtar was my good buddy.Son of a sweatmeat shop owner in the main bazar,lived in a big house out side the walled area.Other person I still remember was Billa,the blue eyed bully calling every Kashmiri a Lola and a Hatoo.
There was another boy with whom I got along well had a very captivating voice.He was a great singer at his age and would often be called upon to sing for Maharaja Hari Singh when ever he was in town to meet the decorated war veterns.My class buddies in 9th class were two Khan brothers.Sons of a high ranking Army officer.The younger one was very smart and intellegent and we two were always in competition for the top position .
I remember him often even now whenever I do cursive writting,for I very much admired the way he would write the letter ” f “. and I still carry the trait.
I still remember going up the hill in front of the school and sliding down the talus slope to see who would make it fast.We often collected pyrite balls that came from the powdery lignite lignite coming from not so distant mine.
I did not say any Dua Salam to my friends when we left Kotli in the Sept of 1947 on that last bus to Uri from Poonch via Haji Peer.Because we never thought we would not see each other again,ever.
or may be we will.
Bushan Parimoo
(The writer is a Jammu based environmentalist and a regular contributor to this Website.)
(Feedback at: blparimoo@gmail.com)
