AR Bhat
There an old is saying,” It is never too late to mend”. Story of Asmat Ali from Galoora, Langate truly certifies the saying. Now, that he is back in home he desires to run a smooth life full of hope and ambitions. Asmat was just like any other man of his village before he turned into a terrorist. He got trained for 10 years in Pakistan and then decided to give up arms and return to his village in 2017 with his Pakistani wife and two kids, hoping to lead a life sans violence and death. The decision had an element of danger and risk involved. Crossing over illegally to India from Uri sector, he and his family had to dodge the Pakistani Army and border surveillance mechanisms of India and Pakistan. “All I wanted was to lead a peaceful life and that desire pushed me to take the risk” he answers with a broad smile, when asked about his reason to endure such a big risk. His return to India was expectedly emotional for his family that was seeing him after 10 years.
Asmat ran away from home as a 15-year-old, a fallacious belief of fighting for the creation of so – called independent Kashmir. He was trained at different terrorist camps in Pakistan. But soon that idea disillusioned him and he decided to change his path and return to his village. Initially, he let go the idea of correcting his path because of fear of death and torture once caught, but his wife’s constant support in his cause motivated him to stretch his limits and do the unthinkable. His homecoming didn’t augur well as he would have expected, and invited dozens of uniform bearers at his doorstep. Soon, he was taken into police custody for interrogation. Although his wife and children were spared, huge conglomeration and unwarranted limelight did frighten them. Asmat underwent exhaustive questioning in which he divulged everything from his training period to his stay at various places in Pakistan. He did not hide a single thing, just because he has returned to lead a simple and peaceful life. After a month, one winter morning he came back to his home and that remains the best day of his life.
It was the dawn of a new life for Asmat, however, societal acceptance posed a big question mark in front of him. Asmat’s relative who were initially reluctant to invite his family members in their marriages, readily accepted Asmat and his family. He started with a menial labour job in the Mawar river and helped his father and brothers in agricultural work. After two years, with little amount of savings he opened a vegetable shop and has now started to reap the success of his hard work. Asmat has admitted his children in a convent school and dreams of making them doctor and teacher. Asmat showers credit of his remarkable transformation to his wife who has been standing tall with him amidst all highs and lows. Asmat is now cherishing a life which he dreamt of, before mis venturing into Pak based Propaganda. Story of Asmat is a living example for those who have been brainwashed for a fake cause; but after so many years, yearns to start a normal life. A rehabilitation policy has also been instituted by the govt; with monetary help and rehabilitation to people, who want to shrug arms and return to the mainstream. Time is not far before the number of deluded persons seeking resurgence will increase exponentially, once the story of Asmat and many more like him relishing a stable and sound life finds the media coverage.
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