Sobs and cries of the departing people, the warmth of their hugs, kisses, exchange of farewell notes and final handshakes from the windows of moving buses were just too much to bear as Poonch, June 20Not only the Line of Control (LoC) that divides Poonch between India and Pakistan but also religions seem irrelevant at sports stadium here where Pakistan-bound passengers gather every Monday of the month. Emotions were running high when Kanshi Ram bade adieu to his cousin (maternal uncle’s son), Ali Mohammad who returned to Pakistan today after spending 45 days here. In the turmoil of 1947, Ali’s family had to migrate to Pakistan. Thereafter, he visited his birth place for the first time in April this year. |
‘What if I am in Pak now, I was born here...’
Sobs and cries of the departing people, the warmth of their hugs, kisses, exchange of farewell notes and final handshakes from the windows of moving buses were just too much to bear as
Ashutosh Sharma
Tribune News Service
Poonch, June 20
Ali Mohammad (left) with his cousin Kanshi Ram at sports stadium Poonch on Monday. Photos by the writer. | Members of the divided families bidding goodbye to their Pakistani relatives at sports stadium Poonch on Monday. |
Emotions were running high when Kanshi Ram bade adieu to his cousin (maternal uncle’s son), Ali Mohammad who returned to
Nevertheless, every passenger at the bus yard belonged to families which got separated during 1947 and 1965 wars.
Amidst sobs and cries of the departing people, the warmth of their hugs, kisses, final handshakes from the windows of moving buses and exchange of farewell notes were just too much for onlookers.
Despite the alleged cumbersome procedure of issuing permits on both sides of the border, they said they would like to visit again.
The entire family of Kanshi Ram of Gherati in Rajouri had come to see off Ali who lives in
Ali was accompanied by his brother-in-law Mohammad Aziz who, during his visit to this part of Poonch, met his sister, Humsheera Begum of Rajouri. The brother-sister got separated in 1947.
“We just pray that both countries live like brothers. Our culture, language, eating habits and every thing is the same. Our wounds start bleeding whenever there is strain in Indian-Pakistan relations,” Ali said.
“The memories of love and hospitality of my relatives here are the prized souvenirs I am taking back to
The Pakistani guests were seen taking along with them umbrellas, clothes, pressure cookers, bottles filled with water from local springs and rivers and photographs of their relatives.
From the sports stadium, passengers are transported to LoC in the buses of the state regional transport corporation, from where they have to board different buses.
Amongst the group of people who left for
Hazi Sultan (95) of Poonch city had come with his son Mohammad Younis, medical superintendent of district hospital Poonch and daughter in law Javeda Firdos, to see off his late elder brother’s daughter, Nazira Bi.
“I was born at Gujranwalla in
“We got permit after two-and-a-half years. I had to apply for twice. Though I want to visit again but I am uncertain when the two governments allow me next
time,” she said. “What if I live in
Hakim Bi met his brother Mohammad Hussain of Rajouri for the first time after she migrated to part of Poonch under
“I separated from my family and stranded into
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