When Kashmir was almost lost

INTERMITTENT Kabaili raids and looting have been an irreducible fact of life across the north-west fringe of Kashmir. But the inexorable catastrophe in the aftermath of Partition could have been well averted, or rendered far less sweeping, if the Maharaja of Kashmir had woken up in time to make a clear decision about accession. The vaccilating Maharaja however dreamt of a sovereign kingdom on the crutches of his fragile, untrustworthy army. The consequence was the bloodshed of defenceless subjects by the rapacious Kabailis, commandeered by the disguised soldiers of the newly created Pakistan.

Vijay Shankar weaves the socio-political aberration in history in the texture of his novel to tell us the story of the suffering of the people of Kashmir. It is not only the story of Mohan Raina and Razia but also of innumerable people typified by characters like Sophia, the journalist, Maqbool Sherwani, the National Conference leader and his co-worker, Ayesha who foolishly drifts over to Pakistan and is betrayed. The author makes his account of the galloping raids sound plausible - everything is well researched.

As events explode, Vijay Shankar lets his perceptive vision highlight the natural bounty of Kashmir. Amid such a landscape, people live the breathless moments and the Pakistani-sponsored "Operation Gulmarg" gnaws at them. With no State-help forthcoming, it is finally the citizens who mobilise resistance. Village after village falls victim to the raiders; Muzzaffarabad, Domel, Uri and Baramulla. The town of Baramulla is a decisive target since it would be just a step short of Srinagar where the raiders had planned to hoist the Pakistani flag.

In saving Baramulla, Mohan's friend Maqbool Sherwani lays down his life. So do a host of others - Sophiya, Ghulam Rasool Batt, Hardev Singh, Col. Wedgewood, Middleton and the rest. The author's insight into military life and weaponry is much in evidence in the depiction of battles which are vividly dramatised with an artistic detachment and control.

Drawing on a fairly massive geographic and political canvas, Vijay Shankar handles his subject well. The novel seeks to convey the message that the leadership must swing into effective action to prevent Kashmir's slide into mayhem.

MANOHAR BANDOPADHYAY

Storm In Kashmir, Vijay Shankar, Cambridge India, Calcutta, Rs. 250.

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