TARN TARAN: The ongoing massive operation in the Mand are has created a fear psychosis in the minds of the people. The brutality of the police who conduct house to house searches is spine chilling.
The local residents, who refuse to speak a word on the matter out of fear discuss in private that the situation would continue only as long as there is presence of such a large number of security personnel in the area, Once the force is withdrawn things would revert to what they were, they say.
As one goes towards the Mand, the fear among the people becomes more apparent.
There are several companies of paramilitary forces operating in the area, assisted by commandos a sight which should bring peace to the minds of the local residents. But on the contrary, they feel otherwise.
About half a dozen encounters have taken place in the Patti, Valtoha, Garhiayali area alone in which about nine militants have been killed.
The offensive which was planned at the highest level and is being directed by the chief of Punjab Police himself has involved several commandos of the paramilitary forces besides that of the National Security Guards, some of whom have now been withdrawn though the offensive continues.
All along the main roads and in the link roads the men in uniform are seen putting up nakas searching vehicles. As soon as the men in
khaki return the kidnappings and loot begins say the people who do not want to be identified not to talk of being photographed.
So far about 40 villages have been thoroughly screened in the Patti belt along the Mand areas and areas along the international border with Pakistan. On average about 12 to 14 villages are combed every day. All the exit routes of the Mand area falling between the Beas and Satluj rivers have been sealed. Observation posts have been set up just outside the Mand.
The Mand is a marshy wet area overgrown with tall elephant grass making it very difficult for the commandos to search the area. The activity, thus, is being monitored from outside.
About two dozen families both of Hindus and Sikhs have migrated to safer places. A few of them have gone to Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and some even to Delhi.
In the Chabhal area almost all the rice shellers have migrated to Amritsar. The fear in their minds is so much that they have decided not to return to their shellers, Many of them are now trying to put up shellers in Amritsar.
Every morning the residents of these areas wake up with their fingers crossed and they go to bed with folded hands praying to god to show them the light of dawn. The fear of being visited by the police haunts them constantly.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 1, 1989
