As the guns of India and Pakistan have fallen silent after a ceasefire agreement last year, at least 112 cross-LoC marriage have taken place bringing back the old memories and a sorts of re-union among relations.
According to details gathered by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), at least 112 marriages ceremonies have been taken place during current year in Keeran, Machil, Bangus, Tanghdar, Gurez, and Uri along the LoC in north Kashmir.
The locals said that after almost 30 years, the marriages are taking place in these areas with great enthusiasm as the areas have been the worst hit due to cross-border shelling and firing.
Remembering loved ones who lost their lives due to cross border shelling, they said that their sorrow will remain forever. “Be it a wedding or any festival, their memory always haunts us,” they said, adding that too much blood has been shed and now we don’t have the courage to see it all anymore.
Describing the situation during the cross border shelling, Irshad Ahmed, a resident of Uri town said that everyone used to be in an atmosphere of fear during weddings as they were worried about getting killed if guns started roaring.
Zabeeda Akthar, a resident of Karnah said that among the weddings that are taking place in her area, the guests are celebrating their joys loudly which was no less than a dream before.
“Two weeks ago my sister got married and guests appeared to have forgotten that they were border residents in a fraught security environment. In the evening, the bride was sent away by a large crowd,” she said, adding that at every wedding, a lost atmosphere of happiness with songs, dance and festivities has returned.
Similarly, in Gurez border region, the Ishfaq and Ehmad Lone duo brothers are preparing for their sister’s wedding which is going to take place in the coming month.
“We will give our sister a good farewell while all the relatives will be invited which we were not able to do during the shelling,” Ehmad said, adding that the environment in the border areas has changed a lot since the ceasefire agreements was implemented.
Referring to a proverb, his brother Ishfaq said that the journey of suffering ends at last and we believe the same has happened to us.
Uri’s Sajad Hussain said that marriages are taking place without any fear and threat. “It is our only hope and prayer that this cease-fire agreement should last forever so that we can live a normal life,” he said.
On February 2021, India and Pakistan had announced that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors—(KNO)