‘It was first time after 1990, we celebrated festival of sacrifices without any fear’
Srinagar : Amid prevailing peace on the Line of Control (LoC) in the wake of February ceasefire pact, villages close to the fence celebrated Eid-ul-Adha with great religious fervour and enthusiasm in a peaceful atmosphere first time in past many decades.
The February ceasefire understanding between the two neighboring countries led to the return of special occasions with tourism activities picking up close to the fence in the three border districts of north Kashmir including Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora.
The elected representatives from three border districts while expressing their satisfaction said that after so many years people living close to the LoC experienced Eid full of enjoyments filled with exciting moments like normal people with every activity undertaken without fear or threat of getting killed under untimely shelling.
Rafiq Ahmad Balote, Block Development Council (BDC) member Uri in Baramulla district said that people living close to the fence celebrated Eid in a very peaceful and cordial environment without any scare of untimely firing or shelling first time in past many decades.
“Unlike previous special occasions when there used to be intense exchange of fire on special occasions, this Eid passed off peacefully amid much enthusiasm among the people and children,” Balote said, adding that “People sacrificed animals at their will and went to distribute it in the areas falling in the proximity of the fence and even people from different parts also visited border areas for sightseeing.”
Rafiq said that people want this ceasefire understanding to last forever and wish to see development and permanent desired houses constructed besides carrying out other activities in an amicable manner.
He stated that after 1990’s, it’s for the first time there was no shelling at all and people celebrated and enjoyed the special Muslim festival peacefully in border areas.
Ghulam Mustafa Magray, Sarpanch from Dhani area in Karnah sector of Kupwara district said that after the 2003 ceasefire agreement people in border areas rejoiced which was very short-lived but the recent agreement between the two neighboring countries is seen as a breather among the local populace with peace and happiness is returning all-around.
He said that people celebrated this Eid-ul-Adha with peace and there was no fear at all among the people since the situation along the fence has been very calm for a couple of months now and every activity goes on normally.
Mustafa said that all the areas in the Karnah sector are close to the fence and the atmosphere is very good while this special occasion is seen as a day with double joy and happiness.
“It’s after so many years people are undertaking agricultural activities in some of the affected areas since the areas always used to witness regular untimely shelling with people not coming out their homes for any normal activities while a huge number of visitors were also hosted by people at different parts in Karnah sector”, Mustafa said.
He also said that recently, the Army distributed sweets in “our locality which is a positive sign since this is growing as something for the very first time in border areas with people satisfied and happy.”
Ahmadullah Khan Sarpanch of Zedgay Village in Gurez sector in Bandipora district said everything went on smoothly this Eid without fear.
“People celebrated the special occasion in a very enthusiastic manner but given the COVID situation the gatherings were restricted. Everything including the overall environment remained calm and there was no secret at all after long,” he said.
“The people of the border areas said that with the guns falling silent the overall situation close to the fence has started to come to normal like never before and people are undertaking different activities without any fear now and it may last forever now.”— (KNO)
