National

By the first bus, they swear

By Shujaat Bukhari

URI, FEB. 17. Hundreds of divided families are eagerly waiting for April 7, when the first bus is slated to depart for Muzaffarabad. They see the decision as the most path-breaking development in the sub-continent in the last 57 years and pray for its becoming a permanent feature.

"We still cannot believe this announcement. After December 7 last when talks on the bus service failed, we thought it will never happen," said Mohammad Rashid of Udoosa village, which faces Chakothi on the other side of the Line of Control (LoC). Half of Mr. Rashid's family lives in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), but he has never been able to visit them. "It has been difficult for me to make it to the other side as I had no resources and cannot afford to go to Delhi first, then cross Wagah and reach another part of the same area," he told The Hindu , adding that it seems that finally both countries have realised how tragic it is to keep families apart.

Biggest gift

Naziruddin is a 70-year-old farmer in Uri who had known this road well. Now, after over 50 years, he is prepared to return to Rawalpindi. "I want to go again to Pindi (Rawalpindi) where I used to work," he said, adding that his family members live in Bagh in PoK and "we used to be in touch with them through letters but after the situation turned violent we have no information." He said this was the biggest-ever gift by India and Pakistan to Kashmiris in the last 60 years.

Munira Begum and her 10-year-old daughter, Nafisa, also want to board the first bus to see their relatives. "We do not know whether we will be allowed to go in the first bus, but we are very eager to see them," said Munira (39), who had come to Uri town for shopping today. Nafisa said: "My mother's maternal uncles live there and I have been told they have a large number of children; I want to meet them."

Sceptical

Mukhtar Ahmed, a Government employee in Uri, received a telephone call from his cousin in Muzaffarabad who, according to him, was "very happy and told me to apply for the first batch." "He wanted me to get Kashmiri apples and walnuts for him," Mr. Mukhtar said. But he was sceptical of the launching of the service. Residents along the LoC also demand that Uri should be one of the main bus stops so that they do not have to go to Srinagar to board it.

Divided families throughout the rest of Kashmir are keen to meet their relatives across the border. Abdur Rehman Sheikh of Beerwah in Budgam district has not seen his brother, who lives in PoK. "I want to go as soon as possible," he said.

Other side

Enthusiasm about the bus on the other side is also overwhelming. Families who have not seen their relatives for decades are keen to meet them. Abrar Haider, a journalist based in Muzaffarabad, rang up The Hindu in Srinagar and said the people were so happy. "We want to take the first bus and see our people there," he said.

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