Opinion | The Human Cost of Violence

Dardpora, a small village in the Kralpora district in north Kashmir, carries a name that reflects its painful history. Dardpora, being close to the Line of Control, stands as a geographical point and a living witness of decades of war, defeat, and survival. The wave of terrorism in the 1990s left a deep impact on the region, and Dardpora turned out to be one of the most tragic cases. The village is now well known as having a high population, families who lost breadwinners, sons, husbands, and brothers in those turbulent years.

Nearly every family has a tale of loss. There was hardly a family that was not affected by tragedy. Fathers, sons, and brothers were lost in houses that used to be full of laughter and hope. Others were murdered in violent acts, others disappeared without any explanation, and their families were left between hope and despair all because of terrorism. The suffering was not limited to one street or a few houses; it was spread throughout the community. Mourning was integrated into everyday life, and grief was a shared experience.

The village slowly came to be referred to as the village of tears as funerals became common and the screams of mothers and wives echoed throughout the air. This title was a symbol of the emotional trauma of its people. The grief did not wear away; it became part of the village identity. Parties became more subdued, and happiness was frequently tinged with the recollection of the departed.

With time, there was another painful identity that came up, the village of widows. It is said that there were over 280 widows in Dardpora, which is an incredible figure in such a small village. A lot of them were young when their husbands were killed or lost. Their lives were changed overnight. They turned into sole providers, guardians, and decision-makers, formerly homemakers.

For families that were affected by terrorism, the loss of a breadwinner not only brought emotional pain. It also brought economic uncertainty, social insecurity, and an uncertain future. Land was left uncultivated, sources of income were lost, and the education of children was in jeopardy. For families whose breadwinners were men, living was from day to day. Women who had never left the home were now forced to work as area workers, engage in small-scale labour, or receive meagre assistance to support their families.

The suffering was further complicated for the families of the disappeared. Many women were not formally widows or fully married spouses until the death of their partners was formally confirmed. This situation created a dilemma of sorts, and they were in a state of torment, hanging on to hope while being faced with realities. Time passed by in a state of uncertainty, and the emotional scars were difficult to heal.

Children of terrorist-affected families had their own silent burdens. Many of them grew up beyond their age because they were growing up without fathers. They saw their mothers fight and make sacrifices, and in the process, they learned to be resilient at a tender age. Their education was occasionally interrupted by financial hardship, but most mothers insisted on taking their children to school. Education was a beacon of hope, a way to stability, and a new future unlike the old one.

These families were normally isolated and had limited social opportunities. Widows suffer stigma and diminished social status in traditional contexts. It was difficult to be economically independent, and emotional trauma was not always addressed. But, despite all these tremendous odds, the women of Dardpora proved to be very strong. They created informal support groups and resources and motivated each other to keep going. Others practiced handicrafts, tailoring, or small-scale farming to earn money. Their silence slowly started to rewrite the history of the village.

Dardpora is a reminder of the human cost of war today. The walls of many homes still have photographs of lost husbands and sons, silent witnesses to a painful history. The memories are there, yet so is the desire to move on. The village is no longer characterized by tragedy but also by perseverance.

The suffering of the people cannot be forgotten, and it should not be erased. There is a story of heroism and silent perseverance behind every home. Despite the sorrow, Dardpora still proceeds with pride and optimism, and it teaches us that even in the most tragic moments of history, the human soul can survive and recover.

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. The publication assumes no responsibility for the content.Author’s Email ID is: syediram368@gmail.com