The Hindu : Peace is no longer a dream in Teetwal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 21, 2003

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National

Peace is no longer a dream in Teetwal

By Shujaat Bukhari

Photo: Nissar Ahmed

Soldiers relaxing near the Line of Control in Tangdar sector in Northern Kashmir on Saturday.

TEETWAL (Line of Control) DEC. 20. The effects of conciliation between India and Pakistan have begun to show in this part of the world. Peace reigns in the cluster of hamlets that make Teetwal, some 200 km from the capital Srinagar. "We no longer huddle together to save our lives," says Mubashir Ahmed, an 8th standard student here. "Many a time our teachers would lock the door as shells from across the border hit us non-stop,'' he adds. "This life is very good," says Shehnaaz, another student, adding "for us life was so miserable before."

For them home meant mostly underground bunkers where the little ones slept during the pre-ceasefire years. Teetwal is just a stone's throw from Chilliana in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. River Kishan Ganga separates the two parts of Kashmir.

The ceasefire has made it possible for a passenger bus to ply to the other side. Though residents crave for a meeting with their relatives, it may still prove to be a long wait, to go across to Chilliana.

"The shops are open. People are buying their daily stuff. It is a dream come true," says Shamim Ahmed, a shopkeeper, adding "it is a feeling I cannot explain."

"Death and destruction was a daily routine here," says Abdul Majid Qazi, a local politician in Tangdar town. "This was a ghost town. But not any more."

Every structure — from school building to police station — has a shell or a bullet mark. But the renovation process is on. Abdul Gani, a police official, says that the police station was damaged eight years ago but "we could never repair it as shelling never stopped. We are taking full advantage of the ceasefire now."

The sense of relief is not only palpable among the civilian population but also in the Army. Soldiers are relaxed and the work on fencing is in full swing. "The ceasefire is in force in letter and spirit and no tension is reported," says Col. S.S. Chauhan. "You cannot imagine the situation before."

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