Orphan of militancy awaits Centre’s help

PUNE: Joginder Singh was a four-year-old when his family of 20 fought a group of 40 Hizbul Mujahideen militants in Doda district of Jammu, as the Kargil War raged on the border on July 1999. Fifteen of his family members succumbed to injuries, although his aunt, sisters, and a brother survived but had to leave their village for survival.  

Joginder’s four adult family members, his father and uncles, were part of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs). They were trained in using arms due to frequent massacres by militants in Jammu region in the 1990s. They had fought valiantly for 13 hours before the forces could reach their village Lehota, in Thathri tehsil of the district.

Recounting the incident, Joginder said, “My father, mother, uncles and cousin brothers succumbed to injuries in front of my eyes. My elder sister showed the presence of mind and hid some of us in a big room, where food grain bags were stored. Later, we were shifted to another room. The crossfire continue-d, which devastated our entire family. Today, only our dilapidated house in the village remains. Later, I was admitted to an orphanage in Jammu, where I finished my secondary education till Std X,” he said.

“However, I did not know what to do next. One day, we attended a public meeting of then union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. I decided to meet him and seek help for higher education. However, it was difficult to reach up to him in a big crowd. Somehow, I managed to talk to him. Later, he called up Sanjay Nahar sir of Sarhad in Pune, who took responsibility for my higher education. I am a commerce graduate now and pursuing post-graduation. I also teach secondary school children in the Sarhad School,” said Joginder.

Joginder has survived the trauma and is facing his life with a smile. All he wishes for is a dignified life. He has resolved to serve the children, who are suffering a similar fate. Hence, he either wants a decent government job or necessary help from the government to open a school in his area. He has petitioned Central and State governments. The then J&K governor NN Vohra had promised to help him get a government job. Later, a letter from PM Narendra Modi’s office was sent some years ago to the Jammu and Kashmir government. However, despite his efforts, nothing seems to be moving in his case in the government offices. 

Joginder’s brother is working in a restaurant in Bengaluru. In this situation, Joginder needs guidance and help to fulfill his dream of serving the children of his state, who are going through hardships, which he has also suffered.