Guns are silent but normality is far away

By Shujaat Bukhari

PALLANWALA (Akhnoor Sector) DEC. 10. Till recently, guns used to boom incessantly forcing people to leave their homes in the volatile border areas here. Though the area is not brimming with activity, it is a solace that the guns have fallen silent following the Vajpayee Government's ceasefire and Pakistan's response of ``maximum restraint''.

The Palanwalla area near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Akhnoor sector has faced heavy shelling from the Pakistani side. Earlier, Army personnel used to ask visitors to take `extra care', but the situation today is in total contrast, with the troops appearing relaxed and their weaponry lying idle. ``Yes it is a good thing,'' said a soldier who has been posted in this area.

For the troops, the ceasefire was announced on November 24 though the areas along the LoC and the International Border (IB) were excluded. ``We have maintained ceasefire from that day, but firing was going on here and there and we would certainly retaliate,'' an Army officer told The Hindu.

But relief came after December 4, when the Pakistan Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, announced `maximum restraint'. After that the Pakistani troops have not resorted to firing in this area, the officer confirmed.

However, there are instructions that militants should be beaten back if any attempt is made to send them in under the cover of fire. ``We have intensified our vigil and are on high alert,'' said the officer. Soldiers, used to retaliating Pakistani shelling, are relaxed though, perhaps, under direct vigil from the other side. They pray for a lasting ceasefire which, they say, would restore normality in the area.

However, not a single resident has returned to the Pallanwala area. An eerie silence prevails here and nearly 70 shops have been remaining locked for months. The livestock has perished and the displaced population is living in tents miles away in Devipur and other places. They are aware of the fast-changing situation, but are still in a quandary. ``We will wait and watch and will not take a decision in haste,'' said Ram Lal who is camping in Devipur.Even as the nearly 45,000 migrants from the border areas are keen to return to their homes, they are not ready to trust the Pakistani forces.

The Government has been giving the migrants cash assistance, besides free ration and kerosene oil. ``We have made special allocation for the migrants who are victims of Pakistan firing and it is being monitored at the highest level,'' the State Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mr. Ajay Sadhotra, said.

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