Over twenty years I write about the participants of the Great Patriotic war who told me a lot about those years. Every time finishing the last sentence and putting a full stop I say to myself: "This is all. I shan't write any more on this theme". However a war may be - aggressive, barbaric or defensive and just - it is always followed by destructions, afflictions and death of people; the last thing being the most dreadful.
This divine instance called life and bestowed by God should be cheerful and joyful, all of us want it. I often reminisce my childhood with two grandmothers. Granny on mother's side, Guldona by name, never allowed closing the gates up to her very end, she died in 1971, she always used to say:
"It won't be good when my son Boynazar returns and sees the closed door. He may get offended that we don't wait for him…" The flatcake bitten by him thirty years ago was hung in the very conspicuous place of the room in the token of hope for his return.
Granny on father's side - Khursandbibi - sent two sons to the war, my father and my uncle Boltaboy; as the elders told he was like Hercules by his constitution and the handsomest fellow in the village. Having got a notification in witness of his death the grandmother turned gray for a night.
And today some parents of present soldiers remind mothers, widows and relatives of those who are being waited for to come though almost 60 years have passed…
No one of them could have imagined that the civil war would break out on our land and carry away over 100 thousand human lives. A part of them are missing and nobody knows anything about their whereabouts. Among them there is Ahmadjon Usmonov. In July 1995 he had begun to serve in military unit 3501, in Khujand fortress, and at the beginning of 1996 he was transferred to Tavildara. Up to May he sent kindhearted letters. But suddenly he stopped writing. Ahmadjon's relatives were waiting for some news from him over days and nights. But when it came at last a tragedy settled in the house.
"Citizen Bahri Usmonova! We announce with deep regret that your son, rank-and-file soldier Ahmad Usmonov, born in 197 disappeared in May 1996 when in discharge of his duty in the area of military actions in Tavildara district being missing up to now.
Uroteppa urban military commissar, major N. Toshmatov, vicarious chief of section 4, senior lieutenant N. Sobirov".
Ahmad Usmonov's father went to Tavildara district in August and December to search for his son. Not having found him in the list of the perished he returned home in despair. In some time there entered another notice:
"We ask to notify citizen Ehson Usmonov residing in Uroteppa, Krupskaya street 21, that his son Ahmadjon Usmonov got into captivity in 1996. He served in m/u 3501, took part in battles on the defense of the constitutional frameworks of Tajikistan Republic. His whereabouts are not ascertained".
Military commissar of Leninabad viloyat, major-general A. Qosimov.
Chief of section4, colonel A. Jalolov".
- I am sure, my son is alive, - says Ehson Usmonov. - I hope one fair day Ahmad will return - his mother, Bahrinisso Usmonova retorts in tears. I see him in my night dreams".
The chief of section four under Sughd viloyat militcom, colonel Ashur Jalolov tells: "2130 officers and soldiers of ours took part in the defense of constitutional frameworks. According to official data 106 men became invalids, 78 men are considered to have perished. Several years ago Sughd viloyat governor Qosim Qosimov handed in certificates to 69 parents of perished soldiers entitling them to privileges".
… These events occurred in war years. Regretfully, soldiers continue to vanish in our peaceful time. Over the last three years two militaries of m/u 3502 - Farrukh Mirahmadov, native of Ghonchi district, and Bahrom Jumayev, native of Istaravshan district, have been missing. The searches were of no effect.
"Pursuant to article 43 of RT Civil Code, if the whereabouts of a missing person are not found throughout a year this person is considered to be dead", - says Ashur Jamolov. And in accordance with article 46 in a year parents may bring a suit to the court. If the latter certifies the disappeared person to be dead parents may claim for privileges".
But in the opinion of the military commissar of Sughd viloyat, major-general Azam Qosimov, there are no missing soldiers or officers. He considers that if they were alive something would transpire. Moreover, after the concordance on peace and national reconciliation had been concluded in June 1997 Majlisi Namoyandagon announced amnesty thrice; so, nobody is bound to be persecuted".
But meanwhile over 70 families are waiting for their sons to return. Isn't it high time the list of missing soldiers and officers accompanied with photos published in central state and other editions? Still there were cases when soldiers considered as perished returned home. There is an example with the soldier from Konibodom. His parents didn't lose hope even having a death notice. Their son (we don't give his name out of ethnical considerations) was found in Tavildara district where he led a life of a beggar. Being confused the young fellow lost his memory. The father took the son home. His parents are glad of seeing their son alive in spite of his being an invalid. Will our missing soldiers return to their native villages? They are like cranes who lost their flock.