So near, yet so far: Teetwal villagers can’t wait to cross LoC

In three days, the LoC at a point in Teetwal will be porous, facilitating flow of relief materials and allowing families to meet relatives o...

In three days, the LoC at a point in Teetwal will be porous, facilitating flow of relief materials and allowing families to meet relatives on the other side. But for the hundreds of divided families of Tangdhar and adjacent villages—eager to cross river Neelam to meet their loved ones—the wait is going to be longer.

They have to fill up the forms and wait for permission to cross the line that separates them from their near and dear ones staying only a few miles away.

Both the Indian and Pakistani Armies have dumped construction material at the point for erecting a bridge. The villagers are anxious to see it come up. ‘‘This is not a simple a bridge. It’s a dream come true. It will connect us with our relatives,’’ says Ghulam Rasool Mughal, a postman at Teetwal village. Another villager, Mughal, wants to help the Army in the bridge construction. ‘‘We are ready to help the Army construct the bridge. All of us want to see it as soon as possible,’’ he says. Dozens of families of Teetwal and six adjacent villages have relatives on the other side of the LoC. Some had crossed over to this side even before partition. However, with India and Pakistan agreeing to open the point, they are eagerly awaiting the day they would be able to meet their relatives.

Story continues below this ad

Raja Ghulam Akbar Khan was born and brought up at Mirpura (in PoK). He is so eager to meet and help his relatives that he spends hours outside the Army’s Imdad camp on the banks of the Neelam. ‘‘My entire family lives across the river,’’ says Khan, pointing towards Chilyani village (in PoK). Khan had crossed the Neelam in 1965. Now in his late sixties, he is waiting to meet and help his brothers and sisters. ‘‘Four decades ago. I came to Teetwal. I am waiting to see my family,’’ he said. Looking towards Chilyani, he says that his house is only five miles away. ‘‘Only five miles separate me from my family, but it seems I am thousands of miles away.’’

The story of Khan’s family is similar to most others on the LoC. On the opening of the point, Khan says, ‘‘I can’t express my happiness. If allowed, it will take me only 30 minutes to reach my native place.’’ Another villager, Abdul Rashid too dreams of crossing the Neelam to meet relatives. ‘‘Three of my uncles live at Naushera. I want to cross the LoC the day Teetwal point opens. I have already applied to local officials for permission,’’ says Abdul Rashid of neighbouring Drangla village.

‘‘I wish the point stays open forever,’’ he adds.