Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 22: Amidst tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) with almost regular mortar shelling and firing between India and Pakistan, the BSF and Rangers today held Sector Commander level flag meeting along the International Border at Chamliyal in Ramgarh sector of Samba district even as Pakistan today returned Jammu and Kashmir Police constable, Sohan Lal three years after he had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan from the IB.
Sources told the Excelsior that a 31 members delegation of Pakistani Rangers, civil administration, prominent persons and media led by Sector Commander Brigadier Amjad Hussain crossed the International Border at Chamliyal, where famous and widely revered shrine of Baba Dalip Singh Manhas ji is located and had a meeting with Indian delegation comprising top BSF officers, civil administration including Deputy Commissioner, Samba Sheetal Nanda and some citizens. The Indian side was led by PS Dhiman, DIG BSF Sector Headquarters, Jammu.
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The delegations of two hostile neighbours, who are always at loggerheads with each other, held half an hour long meeting in very peaceful and cordial atmosphere but, according to sources, the border tensions including ceasefire violations, didn’t figure in the meeting, which was confined to exchange of sweets and greetings, offering of traditional `chadar’ by Pakistani delegation at Baba Dalip Singh Manhas shrine, which is also known as Baba Chamliyal shrine and offering of `shakar’ and `sharbat’ to Pakistani officials by the BSF for the people of their side.
The ‘shaka’ and ‘sharbat’ have magical powers of curing skin ailments.
Though the meeting was confined to celebrations of Baba Chamliyal mela, sources said, the delegations of India and Pakistan committed themselves to maintain peace and tranquility in the area. The half an hour long meeting ended in very cordial and peaceful atmosphere.
Speaking to reporters at the mela venue, DIG BSF Station Headquarters, PS Dhiman said there were no discussions on ceasefire violations or any other such issues. The meeting was confined to celebrations of Baba Chamliyal fair, he added and said the two sides exchanged sweets on pious occasion of Ramzan also.
“Such meetings are good as they help in maintaining in peace,” Dhiman said.
Baba Dalip Singh Manhas is widely revered by the people on both sides of India and Pakistan. Prior to 1971 war, the people from Pakistan were also allowed to visit Baba Chamliyal Ji shrine and take `prasad’ of `shakar’ (earth soil) and `sharbat’ (sweet water).
However after 1971 war, the people from Pakistan were asked to wait at the International Border on their side and were not allowed to come up to the shrine. The Rangers are given the `shakar’ and `sharbat’, which is delivered to the people waiting on Pakistan side. The `Chadar’ given by the people, through the Rangers, is offered at the shrine of Baba Chamliyal Ji.
It is widely believed by the people that skin ailments are cured after application of `shakar’ and `sharbat’.
The Chamliyal fair is celebrated every year on second last Thursday of June.
The fair was well attended by BSF, civil and police officials, apart from thousands of devotees, who paid obeisance at the shrine. Sources said large number of people had also gathered on Pakistan side of the International Border and they paid their obeisance to Baba Chamliyal from there. However, the Pakistani people were delivered `shakar’ and `sharbat’ by the Rangers, which they took from this side.
Meanwhile, Pakistan today returned a constable of Jammu and Kashmir Police, hailing from RS Pura, to BSF at Wagah border in Amritsar district of Punjab after nearly three years in Pakistan custody.
The police constable Sohan Lal son of Gharu Ram, a resident of Nai Basti, Gulabgarh in RS Pura tehsil had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan from the IB in RS Pura sector in 2014.
India had sought his repatriation immediately from Pakistan on the ground that he had crossed the border inadvertently.
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