GB's chilas district has a common boundary with KP's Kohistan district. There has been violent clashes in the past over grazing and water rights. People of GB had always been wary of the outsiders.
In the past British first invaded and integrated chilas into gilgit agency. People of GB opted for pakistan in 1947 plebiscite. They had to deal with regular army of Jammu and Kashmir too.
The governor of KP was appointed as agent of Federal government for GB in 1947. Later its administration was transferred to ministry of Kashmir affairs in 1950.
That time, Kohistan was made a part of KP which was traditionally a part of GB.
The federation did not heed much to the issue of plebiscite and how it could damage the cause of Kashmir.
Ahmed hasan dani, a well known historian, is of the opinion that kohistan right upto jalkot was part of gilgit agency. This claim is backed by 2 letters ; one is from S,M. Fraser who was a resident in Kashmir to the chief commissioner of Peshawar in 1912 while other letter is from resident of Kashmir to survey of India on 12 June 1928, which confirms these areas under Gilgit agency.
People of GB have not raised much voice about giving kohsitan region to KP but there have been tribal clashes between harban on kp side and thor on gb side on water and grazing rights in 1950. Both elders from these areas met in a local jirga and inked a written agreement which states the area up-to bhasha stream belonging to people of thor.
But later in a crucial development the survey of Pakistan mentioned the area of basri as part of koshistan without integrating the settlement of previous jirga. People of harban now claims the areas on the pretext of this survey made in 1960.
Complicity of KP government is also suspected. The turbine will be st in thee area claimed by harban. So net hydel profit will go to KP. There is also an opinion that since GB is not a province, it is not entitled to net hydel profit just like ajk is not entitled to mangla dam.
Quite recently the situation deteriorated due to grievances which resulted in 5 deaths from both tribes. The dispute was later resolved by tribal elders who forgave the blood to each other and a boundary commission was also set by the government.
Due to no interest of federation to solve the dispute the KKH was blocked by harban tribe and huge number of rival people also gather which resulted into a standoff that could have been deadly.
The fragile peace accord between two tribes can not sustain because of the 8 billion dollars land settlement announced by the government.
There is another outstanding disputer of shandur pass formerly under ghizer control now administered by KP. This can mean a loss of net hydel profit which GB residents are in no mood to accept.
Ultimately CPEC's viability and security can come under scrutiny becuase of the tension flaming and engulfing nearby regions which could cause the future of multi-billion dollar project under jeopardy.
Centre is therefore requested to take keen interest in settling the disputes on both sides and provide handsome compensation and also make it binding on both sides. GB should also be given its due share in net hydel profits. Time is passing and the people of GB are looking at these developments from hawk eye.
Source: http://www.dawn.com/news/1261476/a-historical-dispute
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