Away from diplomatic subtleties, which would have marked foreign secretary level talks at Islamabad, Indo-Pak bonhomie in its traditional mode was at display on Thursday at no man’s land and also both the sides of International Border during annual Chamliyal fair in Ramgarh sector of Samba district.
Around 1.5 lakh people from Indian side, as per official statistics provided by IG BSF Jammu Frontier S. Chattopadhayay, participated in the fair organised annually in the memory of a Hindu saint Baba Dalip Singh Manhas, revered as Baba Chamliyal, by the people of both India and Pakistan. While around 2 lakh people gathered in Saidawali village of Pakistan on the other side of Zero Line curiously watching the proceedings on this side. They were however not allowed to cross Zero Line.
At an official level, following “Chadar exchange” ceremony away from media glare, BSF personnel led by DIG Jammu Sector Vasudevan and Pakistani Rangers led by Brigadier Masood also exchanged sweets, “Shakkar” (soil) and “Sharbat” (sweet water) at no man’s land along Chamliyal village, 50 km from Jammu. After the ritual interaction with 9-member official delegation of Pakistan, a trolley of “Shakkar”, believed to cure skin ailments and “Sharbat” for the devotees on the other side, was sent. Besides photo opportunity, media was not allowed to interact with the Pak delegation.
Most of the people were drawn to the fair out of curiosity to see the border and meet the people from other side, which, however, could not happen. Similar enthusiasm could be seen on the other side where the people perched atop mounds were peeping to this side and waving to the people from this side.