| VOL. 1 NO. 17 DELHI: Ashwin Krishna 9, 2004. October 23, 1947 FOUR ANNAS? |
The free distribution of arms and ammunition in the West Punjab villages on the border of Kashmir State is causing serious anxiety in Srinagar, according to reports received in New Delhi from Kashmir. It is learnt that the menace has assumed such proportions the Kashmir Government has been compelled to lodge a protest with the Pakistan Government.
For some time past, armed raids on the territory of Kashmir have been going on from villages in Sialkot and Rawalpindi districts. But of late, the intensity and the frequency of these raids are reported to have increased. The recent trouble in Poonch, it is learnt, was only another aspect of disturbances engineered by certain Pakistan leaders.
In September this year, disturbances broke out in Poonch as a result of an attack by about 5,000 armed villagers from Wet Punjab on villages in the State. Following this, the Kashmir Government, it is reported, took possession of large quantities of arms and ammunition and stored them at two police stations in the State. These stores of arms and ammunition were subsequently raided by armed bands from West Punjab and were removed. Since then, trouble has been going on in the territory of the State with the assistance of the inhabitants in West Punjab.
Vijaya Dashmi Message? Only those who have a clear understanding of what constitutes power can make a right use of it. The existence of power is for the smooth running of the universe for maintaining our ideal. As a serpent coils round the sandal tree and hisses at those who try to cut it our serpent-like strength should coil round our national ideals and hiss for their protection. But strength should be under control. We should not be swept away by it. It should be kept like a horse controlled by a clever charioteer. |
A fair number of the inhabitants of Poonch are serving in the Pakistan Army. It is reported that many of them have been granted leave by the Pakistan authorities. These members of the Pakistan armed forces, it is alleged, are directly responsible for the continuance of disturbances in Poonch. They are being aided by a large number of demobilized Muslim members of the war-time Indian Army who belong to Poonch.
Their activities have led to the exodus of a large numbers of Hindus from Poonch to Srinagar. Reports indicate that much damage to Hindu life and property has already occurred in Poonch.
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