By M S Nazki
In the remote and often-forgotten border village of Dehri in Manjakote, tragedy struck when the modest home of 60-year-old Daat Hussain, a daily wage labourer, was reduced to rubble in a recent bout of cross-border shelling. What was once a newly built dream home — filled with aspirations, memories, and a future planned with care — now lies in ruins.
Daat, who sustained critical injuries during the attack, is currently recovering at a relative’s home. While his physical wounds are healing, the emotional scars run far deeper. “We had just begun to live with dignity,” he murmured, his voice trembling as he looked over what used to be his family’s only shelter.
The house, built just months ago with a loan of ₹5 lakh, had recently been furnished and painted, symbolizing the family’s slow but steady progress. That fragile progress was obliterated in an instant. Everything — household items, new tiling, and electrical fittings — was destroyed in the blast.
Daat lives with his 55-year-old wife and three daughters, each at a critical juncture in life. His eldest daughter was married just two months ago, a rare moment of celebration for the family. His second daughter, a bright college student in her final year, was scheduled to be married in just ten days. Instead of wedding bells, the family faced the deafening silence of grief and loss as the marriage had to be cancelled. The youngest daughter, a second-semester student at Government PG College, Rajouri, continues her studies under the growing shadow of insecurity.
“This was not just a house,” said a family member, holding back tears. “It was a promise to our daughters — a symbol of security and stability. Now there’s nothing left.”
The family has no alternative income, no property elsewhere, and no resources to rebuild. What’s left is grief, broken dreams, and a desperate plea for help. Community members and local panchayat representatives have rallied around the family, urging the district administration to act swiftly.
There is a growing public sentiment that the government must step in immediately, not just with temporary relief, but with a comprehensive rehabilitation package. “This family has lost everything through no fault of their own. It’s not just about bricks and cement — it’s about restoring dignity and hope,” said a local resident.
Citizens and local leaders are calling on Deputy Commissioner Rajouri to personally intervene and ensure that Daat Hussain’s family receives the financial aid required to rebuild their home and restart their lives.
This tragedy, one among many in India’s vulnerable border regions, serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of conflict. For Daat Hussain and his family, what they need now is not just sympathy, but swift, tangible action — to restore a home, a future, and a sense of peace.
