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Monks 'Dilemma
Monks' Dilemma
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was descendent of Kashmiri pundits converted to Islam. It is this region dominated by Sunnis that is disturbed and dangerous, afflicted badly by terrorism from infiltrators from across the border and also from separatists within the region. There is cross firing between the militants and security forces every day in Srinagar and many other places. The region from Jojila pass to the next pass Hambotingla at 13202' height is inhabited by Shia Muslims who are very peace loving. Beyond this mountain pass the area is predominantly Buddhist and a very good development that is noticeable these days is that inter religious marriages between Shias and Buddhists are now common. Presently the Sunnis dominate the administration because of pressure techniques of violence and central government succumbing to it. The funds allotted by the centre for other regions are also being usurped by these notorious and aggressive people. If the Government of India, by a strong political will, takes a bold decision to divide the state in four separate states of Jammu, Kashmir valley, Kargil and Laddak the problem of militancy will end. These four regions are quite distinct and different from each other in language, costume, religious beliefs, customs and traditions. There is nothing common in between them to keep them tied. It is wrong to ignore the interests of three major regions only to fatten and pamper the notorious one. If Assam could be divided in seven very small states of almost similar ethnicity there is a stronger case for separation of the four in J&K. The Government of India is keeping them together only to satisfy its false ego of pluralism and pseudo secularism and is also able to continue the status quo because the people here are not aggressive and violent as in Assam. They are being punished for their goodness. Instead of dividing the state the central government is resorting to more and more pampering of the notorious
people in this Sunni dominated small area by pumping funds liberally, some of which percolate to terrorists also. While thousands of villages in the country are without electricity every village in this problematic area is given the facility of diesel generators at a prohibitive cost. Kargil is a very peaceful place. You should not worry about my safety."
Shree, "We are ready and shall come with you. We have no fatigue and no problem now."
They first went to the forest office. Priya had procured a letter from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests addressed to all concerned forest officers with instructions that she should be given necessary help. An experienced forester accompanied them as a guide. They stopped at Kanor, the site of recent plantation done by the department. Priya asked Vibhu and Shree to note the naked mountain slopes all around and pointing towards almost vertical cliffs said. "See the benevolence of nature, there are valuable medicinal plant species of sturdy Rosa, Hippophae, Artemisia and many others in small crevices on rocky slopes. The growth is more at the foot of the hills where there is some soil depth. It is unfortunate that the valuable medicinal plants are recklessly cut and burnt as fuel in spite of free supply of the wood of Deodar, Oak and other species to the people here."
While she got busy in her work of documenting and collecting the specimen Shree stopped the passersbys, mostly young girls, carrying truncated conical baskets on their backs and enquired about local traditions. A smart girl in the group told many interesting things, "We are all college students doing our graduation in various subjects mostly in arts because laboratory facilities in science subjects are not
