บท 8: Riots - II
Rohan Varma sat at the head of a long wooden table in the conference room of the Prime Minister's residence, waiting for the arrival of the community and religious leaders.
Partition had left scars across the landscape, not just in terms of physical borders but in the hearts of millions who had seen their lives torn apart by the violence and fear that followed the division of India and Pakistan.
The communal violence that had swept across the country in the wake of Partition had become a festering wound.
Punjab was in chaos and refugees were streaming into Delhi and other cities, bringing with them stories of horror.
It was a bigger human misery that needed immediate attention, and Rohan knew he had to move the country toward peace before the flames consumed everything.
Soon, the guests began to arrive.
Among them were Baba Harish, the soft-spoken and elderly Hindu sage; Maulana Abdul Qadir, a highly respected Muslim cleric; Sister Mary, a nun who had been working with refugees in the camps and Baldev Singh, prominent sikh leader.
They took their seats, and Rohan could feel the tension in the air.
He knew this would be a difficult conversation, but it was necessary.
"Thank you all for coming," Rohan began, his voice calm but resolute.
"As you know, the situation in the country is critical. Partition has left us with a deep divide, one that cannot be ignored. Violence has torn through our cities and villages. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christian all communities are suffering. We must come together now, not just as leaders, but as people who care about the future of this nation."
Baba Harish was the first to speak, his voice soft but carrying the weight of wisdom. "Prime Minister, the wounds of Partition are fresh, and fear has taken root in the hearts of many. We must remind the people of their shared history, of the centuries where they lived together. But it will take time. Trust has been shattered."
Maulana Abdul Qadir nodded, his face lined with worry. "Prime Minister, it is true that Muslims in many parts of India feel vulnerable, abandoned by the promises of protection after Partition. Many stayed behind, believing that India would be their home, but now they are afraid. The violence in Punjab it is spreading fear like wildfire. We must act swiftly."
Baldev leaning forward in his chair, spoke next, his voice filled with urgency. "This is not just about words, Prime Minister. We need action on the ground. These refugees, they are traumatized. They have seen their families slaughtered, their homes destroyed. If we don't address the poverty, the lack of education, the root causes of this violence, we'll be fighting this battle for decades. The government must work hand in hand with community leaders to rebuild trust."
Rohan nodded thoughtfully, absorbing their words. "We cannot heal this nation with laws and policies alone," he said. "The people need to see that we are united in our resolve to bring peace. But we must also recognize that this violence is not spontaneous. It is being fueled by rumors, by fear, by political opportunists who want to see us divided. We need to create a national task force for communal harmony, a dedicated body that works at the grassroots level to rebuild trust between communities."
Sister Mary, who had remained quiet until now, finally spoke, her voice quiet but filled with conviction. "In the camps, I see both Hindus and Muslims suffering side by side. But the children, Prime Minister, they do not yet carry the hatred of their elders. There is still hope there. If we can focus on the young, on education, we can prevent the next generation from inheriting the divisions of this one."
Rohan's eyes brightened at the suggestion. "That is a good point, Sister. We must not just focus on immediate relief but also on education. We need to rebuild schools, ensure that the children of refugees have access to learning, and teach them about tolerance and unity."
The meeting continued with ideas flowing back and forth, the establishment of peace committees, interfaith dialogues, and strong legal measures against those who incited violence.
As the discussion ended, Rohan made it clear that this was only the beginning. "We must show the country that we are united," he said, looking around the room.
"The wounds of Partition are deep, but we cannot let them fester. We must lead by example. Let us work together to heal this nation."
Later that afternoon, Rohan's attention shifted from the communal crisis to the growing military concerns along the border with Pakistan.
The issue of Kashmir was already increasing, and the threat of conflict was another problem.
Major General Mehta and General Singh, the Commander in Chief of the Indian Army, were waiting for him in the war room, which was dominated by large maps of the northern borders.
The two men stood as Rohan entered, their faces grim. "Prime Minister," General Mehta began,
"The situation in Kashmir is deteriorating rapidly. The tribal forces, backed by elements from Pakistan, are trying to enter into Kashmir. We have fortified our positions, but we are stretched thin."
Rohan stepped closer to the maps, his eyes scanning the red-marked areas of conflict. "How bad is it?" he asked.
General Singh pointed to the areas near Uri and Baramulla, where skirmishes had been reported. "We have reinforced our positions here and here," he said, tracing the paths with his finger.
"But the terrain is difficult, and our supply lines are stretched. We need more troops and better equipment to hold our positions. If Pakistan escalates, we could be looking at a full-scale conflict."
Rohan knew that the fate of Kashmir was crucial, not just strategically but symbolically.
India had to secure the region, but he also understood the cost of war. "What do you need to ensure we can defend Kashmir?" he asked
General Mehta didn't hesitate. "We need immediate access to more artillery, better logistical support, and reinforcements. Our soldiers are capable, but they are facing an enemy with superior resources in certain areas. We cannot afford to be outgunned."
Rohan nodded, his eyes still fixed on the maps. "We'll expedite the procurement process. I'll ensure that we prioritize the defense of Kashmir. But we must also be prepared for the possibility of escalation. We cannot afford to look unprepared."
General Singh spoke next, his voice filled with the weight of years of experience. "Prime Minister, we also need to keep a close watch on our air defenses. If Pakistan decides to use aerial support for their ground forces, we need to be ready to respond. We've already started securing airstrips in the region, but it's critical that we keep our airspace secure."
Rohan agreed. "We'll make sure you have the support you need. Our forces cannot be caught off guard."
As the meeting continued, they discussed the broader military strategy.
The mountainous terrain of Kashmir posed a unique challenge, with narrow passes and treacherous roads making supply lines vulnerable.
The generals emphasized the need for winter preparations as well.
Snow would soon blanket the region, making movement difficult.
"We need to act before the winter sets in," General Mehta warned. "Once the passes are blocked by snow, we'll be limited in our ability to move troops and supplies. The enemy knows this, and they may try to gain ground before we can fully prepare."
Rohan listened carefully.
He knew that the decisions made in the coming weeks would shape the future of the region, and possibly the entire country.
There was no room for error.
"Then let's act quickly," Rohan said firmly. "We'll get the supplies you need and the reinforcements in place."
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