Indians, Pakistanis throng border shrine

Chambliyal (J-K), June 25 (PTI) No rattling of machine
guns or explosions of mortar fire that were once a daily
routine for the residents of Indo-Pak border here in India's
northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Instead sounds of drum beats reverberated in the air
as Indian and Pakistani troops, drenched in devotion, gathered
with their families to remember the 18th century saint Baba
Chamliyal, highly revered on both sides of the border.

At the nondescript shrine of Baba Dileep Sing Manhas,
popularly known as Baba Chamliyal, located 45 km from Jammu
and barely one and half kilometre from zero line, there is
little place for hostility as Pakistani border officials cross
over to India to celebrate the three-day border festival at
the zero line.

"It is the biggest confidence building measure. It is
the focal point of aspirations of people. This is not just a
fair but a strong bond that has kept Muslims in Pakistan and
Hindus and Sikhs from India emotionally close despite the
partition in 1947," Pakistani Ranger Commander Brig Masood
told reporters here.

Masood, who led a large group of Pakistani border
guards and their families, offered 'chaddar' (holy blanket) at
the tomb of the Baba.

It was received by BSF troops led by DIG Vijay Kumar.
"We welcome Pakistani guests here. It is a sacred occasion. It
is a CMB for the people on the two sides. Such occasions build
up mutual trust and iron out differences," Kumar said.

69-year-old Pakistani villager Mehhmood Hussain still
remembers the time when devotees from the two countries would
celebrate the fair together.

"This dividing line (border) should be done away with
so that the people of two countries - Hindus and Muslims -
celebrate the mela jointly which was done before 1971," he
said, adding, "the festival reflects that the people of two
sides do not harbour any hatred for each other".

Till 1971, Pakistanis were allowed to come to this
side of the border to pay obeisance at the shrine. The
practice was stopped after the 1971 war. Intelligence agencies
were opposed to the movement, arguing that spies and
infiltrators could misuse this opportunity.

However, the 2003 ceasefire has brought much relief to
the residents, who were earlier living in constant fear of
cross-border firing.

People on the two sides stood silently and watched the
"shakkar and sharabat" (holy earth and water) being carried
from the shrine on the Indian side for devotees in Pakistan.

Baba Chamliyal, after whom the village is named, lived
about 300 years ago and was revered by the people because of
his saintly qualities and spiritual powers.

While over 20,000 people thronged the shrine on this
side, over 40,000 people took part in the week-long mela on
Pakistani side.

A popular belief is that the soil and the water from
the shrine cures skin diseases. As a result it draws a large
number of devotees from parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, PSunjab and Haryana. PTI AB
PMR
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