When their ancestors descended into Kargil, also known as Purik, it was to escape war at home. But ironically, centuries later, nearly one-third of an estimated population of 81,000 Purkis, Baltis, Dardis, Ladakhis and Tibetans has got displaced from Kargil due to undeclared war between Pakistan and India, which has already killed seven and injured 12 civilians, according to government sources.

Recollects district commissioner Shaheen Kabra:``Since early June, nearly 3,500 families, comprising 25,000 people, have migrated from various areas of Kargil.'' They have relocated themselves mostly above Kargil at Minzi, Trespone, Sankoo and Shakarchiktan and a few families are camping below Sonmarg at Gagangir and Kulan. The government calls them migrantsdespite the fact that they qualify to be called internal/displaced people, having been forced to abandon their homes and leave their usual places of residence due to armed conflict, but have remained within the borders of their own country.

A few people have also fled because they don't want to work as porters for the army. Says Abdul Gaffoor, who fled from Pandrass to Gagangir: ``The army hired us as porters without equipping us sufficiently. The result is that both my feet got injured due to frostbite.'' His left foot is still bandaged, nearly one month after the incident.

Some youth have moved to Srinagar to pursue studies since the educational institutions in the affected places back home have shut down. Says Mohammed Ibrahim:``I am from Akehmal, 14 kms from Kargil, and have moved to Srinagar to join college. It is not possible to study there.''

But that was three weeks ago. Now, civilians can't commute on the 200-km long Srinagar-Kargil highway since it is closed due to security reasons. People whomust go to Srinagar have to seek the permission of the district administration. Says Mohammed Ali, 25, who hails from Chandigund and wants to get his mother operated upon in Srinagar: ``I had to give it in writing that I would be going at my own risk and responsibility.'' Explains a senior police officer: ``Traffic is regulated due to security reasons. But nobody is denied permission.'' Nearly all these `migrants' are staying on their own-either with their relatives or with acquaintances.

Ghulam Nabi, 35, a librarian, who had fled from Drass along with his wife and five children, shares a room with his sister's family, which includes her five children, at Sankoo. Says his sister, Amina: ``It's very awkward living in one room with everybody around you, particularly for the women folk.''

Over 35 families at Gagangir are staying in government quarters. This is resented by the others, though. Complains a bitter Ghulam Rasool, 45, who is staying with a relative at Kulan: ``They have been singled out forspecial attention. We are given stepmotherly treatment.''

Kabra is prepared to provide tents, but there are no takers because the closely knit conservative Shia community is not receptive to the idea of its womenfolk living in tents.

The government is providing some cash relief and rations, though Mohammed Abbas, the legislator from Kargil, elaborates that all the displaced population is provided free of cost five kilos of foodgrains per member and five litres of kerosene per family, and families of non-government employees are also given Rs 200 per member. At the same time, he admits: ``The relief is inadequate.''

In fact, former legislator Ahmadullah Azad has demanded that the relief be brought on par with that of the Kashmiris who migrated to Jammu and beyond 10 years ago .

Apart from the relief, the government gives Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of people killed by the shelling and Rs 25,000 to those who are seriously injured. Though the administration claims to have given it to all deservingcases, there are some people who refute it. Says Mohammed Farooq, 19, whose father died due to a splinter in Rambirpora: ``We are yet to get our compensation.''

Other are also unhappy on this score. Bemoans Mohammed Jaffar, who has shifted from Hardass to Minzi: ``The government is not giving us any compensation for the damaged houses or the lost livestock.'' Explaining the reasons, Kabra says: ``It is not possible at this point of time. Shelling is still going on in most of the affected areas.''

Adds Qamar Ali Akhoon, the only minister representing Kargil in the state government: ``The process of compensation would be set in motion as soon as peace returns. He promises:``The government will pay 50 per cent of the total estimate of the property damaged.''

For the present, the people are not only living with losses, but they are also incurring new liabilities. Those who survive shells are falling to new diseases, born in the wake of displacement.

Says Dr Asgar Ali, block development officer at Sankoo:``Many people have started complaining of depression. Besides, the condition of hypertensive patients has aggravated, and even fresh cases are reported every day. Similarly, instances of communicable diseases have increased. Measles is spreading quite fast in some clusters.''

His colleague, Dr Munawar Husain, elaborates: ``In the absence of any other direct cause, we can co-relate these diseases with the displacement factor.'' And the real cure, they say, is a return to their homes and hearths. Since that's not in their-or the government's -- hands, it's a wait and watch situation. Says Kabra: ``If the areas where people have got relocated get shelled, we will be in for trouble.''

Emphasises a senior police officer: ``Most of the relocated people in and around Kargil are not out of the range of shelling from Pakistan.'' In fact, a couple of shells have already fallen at harmless distances from their settlements. But any untoward incident can trigger a second migration anytime. And if the intelligencereports about a few small militant groups having come up in hitherto militancy-free district turns out to be true, the people will be risking double trouble.