Youngsters in deserted Punjab village hold night patrols

Hundreds of young people from villages that line India’s de-facto border with Pakistan are spending sleepless nights, patrolling their neighbourhoods with sticks and rods to ward off thieves.

Hundreds of young people from villages that line India’s de-facto border with Pakistan are spending sleepless nights, patrolling their neighbourhoods with sticks and rods to ward off thieves.

A train standing near the check post at Roranwala. (Gurpreet Singh/HT Photo)

Most inhabitants in these border villages have left their homes as the government announced widespread evacuation following the army’s strikes on militant bases across the Line of Control.

But the men who stayed back say the local administration hasn’t provided them any help and they fear miscreants may try to take advantage of the deserted homes and steal belongings.

In Roranwala, just a few hundred metres from the LoC, a group of youngsters say they spend every night patrolling their village to save their houses, cattle and property – the glare of the floodlights from the LoC behind them.

“We are awake for the safety of our village. Many people have left the village and we are here to safeguard the houses from theft,” says resident Navjot Singh.

“Security is an issue. The police hardly come during the night and if any vehicle comes, it leaves hurriedly. So it is our duty to keep our village safe.”

The evacuation was ordered as relations between New Delhi and Islamabad nosedived following the army’s announcement of surgical strikes against “terror launchpads” in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, amid fears of retaliation by the neighbouring country.

Residents patrol at night in Roranwala village. (Gurpreet Singh/ HT Photo)

Many families have sent the women and children away but the men have stayed back and say they’re already impoverished and any theft will break their backs.

“People have left the village in a hurry but crops and cattle are here. We cannot run away. What if someone takes our belongings? Will anyone pay us back?” asks Bittu, a resident.

“We spend much time on streets during the night.”

Roranwala isn’t the only one. People in many villagers along the LoC say they feel abandoned by the local administration with little support in getting transportation or choosing possible destinations. Many are seen often standing in fields with swords to guard their property.

“The government has just asked us to go back from the border. But has the government thought about our houses and belongings? Many people stay awake to ensure security,” asks Joginder Singh, a villager from Chak Alla Baksh.

Police and administration say officials have been deployed to ensure safety at night but the people are dissatisfied. “We did not sleep. We stood in the villages with swords in hand all night,” said Kashmir Kaur of Daoke.

Read: Always living in fear: Villagers near LoC have painful memories of war