The Hindu : National : Emotional scenes and warm welcome

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 08, 2005

National

National

Emotional scenes and warm welcome

By Shujaat Bukhari

REUNION: A Srinagar resident (left), hugs his relative who arrived from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir in Srinagar on Thursday. -- AP

KAMAN POST, APRIL 7. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, greeted the passengers coming from Muzaffarabad with a `Kush Amdeed' on the Aman Setu (peace bridge). The Mufti waited for the arrival of the passengers on the bridge for about 45 minutes. They were garlanded and showered with flower petals. Later, his daughter and People's Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti, escorted to the Kaman Bridge the 19 passengers crossing over to that side.

It was exactly 1.55 p.m. when the first passenger set foot on the soil on this side. Emotional scenes were witnessed and at least two passengers were seen kissing the soil.

There were five women among the 30 passengers who came in the first bus from Muzaffarabad to Chakothi, the last point on the other side. One was an old woman in a wheelchair.

The Deputy Commissioner of Muzaffarabad, Liaqat Hussain, who accompanied them, said the cross-over was smooth and hoped that all would be well in future too. The passengers said it was the happiest moment in their lives.

A huge hoarding saying "Mazhab nahi sikhata aapas mein ber rakhna (Religion does not teach animosity)" greeted the passengers from PoK. Though Pakistan and PoK flags were fluttering on the other side there was no tricolour on this side.

After going through customs and immigration check, the passengers moved towards Salamabad.

"I am so delighted that I am becoming part of history," said Nissar Ahmed Mir, a retired PoK bureaucrat. "It looks like the Berlin Wall is being dismantled but other routes should also be opened."

"I am really happy, words fail to explain the amount of joy I have as I am entering my homeland after 55 years," said Syed Sharief Hussain Bukhari, a former judge. He crossed over to the other side when he was in high school. "It cannot be explained but only felt," said Syed Shahid Bahar, who is eager to see his relatives in Delina Baramulla.

Despite threats from militants and amid a drizzle, hundreds of people lined up the 118-km road from Kaman Post to Srinagar to greet the passengers. "They are our brethren and we welcome them," said a resident in Parimpora on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Salamabad comes alive

The usually quiet village of Salamabad came alive while people waited for the passengers for hours.

Though the security officials prevented them from entering the Tourist Reception Centre, where a cultural programme was on, hundreds of men, women and children formed a human chain on the historic road and watched the arrival and the send-off of the passengers.

"We are happy that road is open. So far, until we have only seen shelling, now we are watching life," said Muzaffar Ahmed, a resident.

Festive look in Uri

Uri town took wore a festive look as people lined both sides of the road and Army jawans waved tricolours. Baramulla was no different, as people braved heavy rain to welcome the guests.

In Srinagar, the passengers from PoK arrived to a tumultuous reception at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre where hundreds of people welcomed the passengers.

A colourful cultural programme was organised in the honour of the passengers who will be State guests for the night.

Many emotional scenes were witnessed as the passengers met their relatives at the SKICC. "I was not born when he left Kashmir," said Syed Showkat Hussain, who received his maternal uncle.

Farida Begum, who met her children after 15 years, shed tears as she said: "I am very happy."

Siddique Farooqui, a former judge of Muzaffarabad, also returned after 55 years. "It is a great time," he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National