War victims

Defence personnel hailing from all parts of India and belonging to all communities and social strata have contributed to the historic victory in the 14-day war. Handsome tributes of their valour and spirit of sacrifice have rightly been paid by their grateful compatriots and even by foreigners. For relief to the families of the martyrs of this war no effort would be too great and no sacrifices too heavy. Mrs. Gandhi spoke in Parliament recently of the hundreds of homes where darkness would prevail owing to the supreme sacrifices made by officers and jawans. She pinpointed the pathetic condition of war widows. Plans for the speedy rehabilitation of such widows and other dependents of soldiers are well under way, and several Governments have announced liberal grants and other concessions. Such national efforts will reassure the sufferers that they have not been forgotten after the initial euphoria over the outcome. While the operations were necessarily a countrywide effort, the location of some war theatres has led to the largest civilian casualties in Punjab. According to a Home Ministry spokesman, Pakistani bombing and shelling killed 125 persons and injured 183 in this state. The casualties in Rajasthan were 15 killed, 17 injured; in J&K 37 killed. 60 injured. There have been fewer casualties in Assam and Tripura. The families of such sufferers have since been provided succour, and further steps are being taken to ensure them food, shelter and other amenities in future also. But in Punjab, J&K (Chhamb sector, in particular) and also in Rajasthan, there is another category of persons whose fate calls for early attention. They were living in the border areas and carrying on farming, business or other vocations at great personal risk. The number of such people uprooted because of the hostilities in three districts (Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Ferozpore) alone exceeds 200,000.