Premium

Long queues at eateries, crowded markets – day after ceasefire, Kutch returns to normal

Following escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the border districts of Kutch, Jamnagar, Banaskantha and Patan had called off the blackouts after the ceasefire to impose them once again after the violations late Saturday.

The marketplace at Bhid Gate -- one of the five Darwazas of the old walled city of Bhuj, which only on Saturday bore a desolate look – surged with large crowds, while kirana shops were teeming with people. (PTI Photo)

Long queues at petrol stations, crowded marketplaces, restaurants and eateries – after days of blackouts, air sirens and uncertainty over drone attacks, Sunday opened like any other regular weekend in the border districts of Gujarat.

The marketplace at Bhid Gate — one of the five Darwazas of the old walled city of Bhuj, which only on Saturday bore a desolate look – surged with large crowds, while kirana shops were teeming with people.

Following escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the border districts of Kutch, Jamnagar, Banaskantha and Patan had called off the blackouts after the ceasefire to impose them once again after the violations late Saturday. The tensions came in the aftermath of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a series of retaliatory strikes that India did in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7 in the aftermath of the terror attack that killed 26 people in Pahalgam on April 22.

This is the first time that the coastal district of Jamnagar, which has the Reliance Industries refinery and a defence air base, called a blackout.

Speaking from the border village of Kuran village, community leader Sarpaji Sodha said “everything was normal” in the village.

A drone had been shot down near Khavda on the intervening night of May 7-8.

“I just visited Khavda in the morning. Back at our Kuran village as well, everyone is moving about freely without restriction. There isn’t any anxiety with regards to the conflict,” he said. The Indian Express tried to reach out to Kutch Collector Anand Patel and Kutch (West) SP Vikas Sunda but both remained unavailable for comment.

Story continues below this ad

Meanwhile, the administrations of the border districts continue to remain vigilant, with residents being asked to report anything unusual immediately. The situation will be assessed every moment to decide if the blackout will continue, Jamnagar collector Ketan Thakker told The Indian Express.

“Things look normal today so far. There was a voluntary blackout in the district last night. Also, we have alerted the villagers and our officials along the border to stay alert and report whenever they see anything abnormal,” a senior district official at Kutch told The Indian Express.

The adjoining district of Patan too had observed a blackout Saturday.

“As of now nothing has been reported as it appears to be normal today so far,” Patan Collector T Y Bhatt said.

Brendan Dabhi

Brendan Dabhi works with The Indian Express, focusing his comprehensive reporting primarily on Gujarat. He covers the region's most critical social, legal, and administrative sectors, notably specializing at the intersection of health, social justice, and disasters. Expertise Health and Public Policy: He has deep expertise in healthcare issues, including rare diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), the complex logistics of organ transplants, and public health challenges like drug-resistant TB and heat health surveillance. His on-ground reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic and Mucormycosis was critical in exposing healthcare challenges faced by marginalized communities in Gujarat. Social Justice and Legal Administration: He reports on the functioning of the legal and police system, including the impact of judicial philosophy, forensics and crucial administrative reforms (. He covers major surveillance and crackdown exercises by the Gujarat police and security on the international border. Disaster and Crisis Management: His work closely tracks how government and civic bodies respond to large-scale crises, providing essential coverage on the human and administrative fallout of disasters including cyclones, floods, conflict, major fires and reported extensively on the AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad. Civic Infrastructure and Governance: Provides timely reports on critical civic failures, including large scale infrastructure projects by the railways and civic bodies, as well as the enforcement of municipal regulations and their impact on residents and heritage. ... Read More

Ritu Sharma

Ritu Sharma is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express' Gujarat bureau, an editorial position that reflects her experience and Authority in regional journalism. With over a decade of concentrated reporting experience, she is a highly Trustworthy and specialized journalist, especially noted for her Expertise in the education sector across Gujarat and previously Chandigarh. Expertise Primary Authority (Education): With over ten years of dedicated reporting on education in both Gujarat and Chandigarh, Ritu Sharma is a foremost authority on educational policy, institutional governance, and ground realities from "KG to PG." Her coverage includes: Higher Education: In-depth scrutiny of top institutions like IIM-Ahmedabad (controversies over demolition/restoration of heritage architecture), IIT-Bombay (caste discrimination issues), and new initiatives like international branch campuses in GIFT City. Schooling & Policy: Detailed coverage of government schemes (Gyan Sadhana School Voucher Scheme), the implementation and impact of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, teacher recruitment issues, and the impact of national policies like the NEP. Student Welfare: Reporting on critical issues such as suicide allegations due to caste discrimination, and the challenges faced by students (e.g., non-delivery of NAMO tablets). ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
india pakistan ceasefire