UROOSA (URI): Following the initiation of the peace process between India and Pakistan, all eyes are now set on the beginning of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service the modalities for which will be worked out by March-end. This bus service will help unite families on either side of the Line of Control.
With the silence of deafening and startling sounds of cross-border shelling and firing, relief has returned to residents in a number of villages around Uri. While the movement of civilians, except for the residents, on the 16-km stretch from Uri to the remotest village of Uroosa was once a distant dream, it is now frequented by many, including local tourists. Once a deserted stretch on the Uri-Muzaffarabad road, it is now frequented by many civilians along the villages of Salamabada, Shadhra, Lal Pul (Red Bridge), Chakra, Uroosa etc.
The sun shines bright over the fields growing wheat, paddy and maize, along the banks of the Jhelum. “Ab bahar aa gayee hai, sab ko achchi lagti hai, jab sardi aati hai to bohat intizam karna padta hai. To woh achcha bhi nahi lagta hai”, (Everybody feels good at the onset of the spring. When it is cold, one has to make all arrangements, which doesn’t look nice), said 55-year-old Abdul Aziz. He longs to meet his relatives settled on the other side of the LoC whom he has not met since Partition, when he was born. Aziz looks forward to the day when the first bus will leave Srinagar for Muzaffarabad through Uri and thereby his native village of Uroosa, only 3 km from Chakoti, falling on the other side of the LoC. “There is a desire to meet relatives and loved ones separated by partition”, Aziz commented. “If the bus goes, I will, Insha Allah, also go...” he said.
Craving to get a government job for his elder son, Aziz has not lost hopes as the recent developments have made possible the first-ever visit by a minister to the village. Mr Iaj Mohiuddin, Congress MLA representing Uri and also the Minister for Public Distribution, visited the village and inaugurated many schemes, including the newly constructed panchayat ghar, on December 3, 2003. Ceasefire has emboldened children to play cricket. Chief Minister Mohammad Sayeed during his visit hinted developing Uroosa village as a tourist spot. Farming activity is now undertaken without any threat, said the villagers.
It has been the first trip for driver Mohammad Kashmir carrying “local tourists” to this remote village near the LoC. “There is hope for the opening of the road to the other side...such tourists eagerly wait for this day so that they can meet their relatives across”,
he adds. Zulfikar Mir, a newly wed businessman from Uri, says “agar raasta khulega, hamara business badaygaa” (if the road opens, it will boost our business).
The bus service has much in store both for the old and young of this village. Kaala Khan (85) was separated from his sister at the time of Partition. “She remained all her life on the other side and has since passed away”, recalls Kaala Khan, who wishes to see her children there. Many of his first cousins have been staying there. “I would love to go by the bus”, he commented, adding at the same time that if allowed to go he would walk down to the other side for about half an hour to reach his loved ones.
On the other hand, Aadil Zaman, a 10th class student at nearby Government High School, Isham, craves to see his father, Sher Zaman, living in PoK. Sher Zaman did not return after he happened to move to the other side 14 years ago, and got married there. Aadil was only two years old when his father left him and migrated for reasons unknown.
