With the help of food rations, tents, soap and other essentials, the former residents of Rangwar established a settlement and survived the harsh winter.

But when the snow melted, local administrators asked them to go back to where they came from.

With nothing to return to but ruins of their former homes, the Rangwaris refused to move, claiming their right to live in Dragyari where life is safer on a number of counts:

They have easier access to health care and drinking water. The road provides a route to get help or reach safety in the event of flash floods. And, though the whole area is prone to violence from militants and army, their original village was also vulnerable to cross boarder shelling. 

ActionAid backs the struggle

Despite opposition by the forest department which claims to own the land, international anti-poverty agency ActionAid is backing the Rangwari people’s struggle for a permanent and safer home.

A recent protest demonstration organised in the capital of Kashmir, Srinagar, was marred by police brutality but helped to bring the case to the attention of state officials.

Ready to face the consequences

Investigations at the local revenue department provided further fuel to the campaign. Official documents reveal that the land at Drangyari has actually belonged to the Rangwaris since 1951.

“We are ready to face any consequence - we will not leave this place which belongs to our forefathers,” Maqbool Khan, the village deputy head, says with pride.

Women and men I meet in homes throughout the village echo his sentiments. They have faith in their ‘Save Rangwar Campaign’ and in ActionAid’s solidarity. Their resilliance is infectious.

I return to Srinagar. The water in Dal Lake is cold. It has rained during the day and the waves are more playful.

Suddenly guns roar and an innocent person collapses. There is a stir among the leaves of the Chinar trees that line the banks of Kashmir’s Jhehlum river. Birds flutter away and then all is calm.

But the hearts of the Kashmiris are sad. Once again their beautiful garden has been violated and their peace and tranquility robbed. Who should they appeal to?

Don't lose faith

In an old mosque an old man raises his hands in prayer and sighs: “now, even God has turned deaf”. Someone whispers “don’t loose faith”, and a smile slowly surfaces on his face.

Kiran Shaheen is Senior Manager, Campaigns for ActionAid India and was part of the response team after the 2005 earthquake.