Avtar Bhat
CHAMLIYAL, (RAMGARH), June 25: Exchanging greetings, sweets and other pleasantries by Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistani Rangers at International Border marked the historic Chamliyal mela here, today.
A delegation of Pakistani Rangers, officers from Civil Administration and Police led by Brig. Waseem Zaffar Bhati of Pak Rangers handed over a traditional Chaddar to their Indian counterparts on Zero Line to be laid on the Shrine of Baba Chamliyal originally known as Daleep Singh Manhas whose shrine is on this side of border near Zero Line.
The Pak Rangers brought the “Chaddar’’ and handed over it to BSF at the Zero Line where the troops and officers of civil administration and police met.
The BSF also handed over Shakkar and Sharbat (sacred soil and holy water) as a gift of Baba Chamliyal to Pak Rangers. The sacred soil and holy water was brought in two tractor trolleys from the holy shrine to Zero Line where it was handed over to Pak Rangers.
Baba Chamliyal a great saint of medieval period is highly revered and a week long mela is also held in his honour at Saidawali village across the IB in Sialkote Sector of Pakistan with same enthusiasm and religious fervour as it is held on Indian side.
A legend goes that by applying the Shakkar of the holy shrine, the people suffering from any kind of skin diseases get completely treated. However, Pakistan over the years has succeeded in creating a dense jungle on the IB at Chamliyal preventing visibility from this side. Earlier, people used to watch the celebration of mela across the Zero Line here but the dense jungle has blocked the view.
As Pak officers entered the Indian territory on Zero Line they were greeted by BSF, Civil and police officers led by DIG, B S Kasana.
Speaking on the occasion, Brig Waseem, Sector Commander of Pakistani Rangers said “it is an honour to be here. We have been meeting often but today is a different environment and we are thankful to the Indian side for giving us such a warm welcome’’.
“Sharing experience brings change, a change for good’’, he said, adding, he is hopeful that in coming days such a conducive atmosphere prevails.
He termed the interaction between the two counterparts as wonderful and complimented the BSF for making wonderful arrangements for them.
He said India -Pakistan relations are very good and the two sides have been meeting before as well.
Talking to reporters, DIG BSF, B S Kasana said when both the sides sit together, it is an indication for bettering relations as they get an opportunity to talk. With the meeting of BSF and Police officers with Pak Rangers and civil administration a Chemistry is developed. He, however, said that the two sides did not discuss the border issue.
Later, the Chaddar offered by Pak Rangers was laid at the holy shrine of Baba Chamliyal by DIG BSF who was accompanied by other officers also.
Pak delegation besides Brig Waseem comprised of DC Sialkote, Dr Asif Tufail, Lt Col Ali and other senior civil and police officers while, DIG Jammu –Kathua Range, Ashkoor Wani, D C Samba ,Sheetal Nanda, SSP, Samba, Joginder Singh and other senior officers of civil administration and Police represented this side.
Thousands of people participated in the mela and there was heavy rush of people upto two kilometers of the road on this side. Different stalls, sale counters, fun games etc were on the mela site which will continue for three days.
BSF had also organised some games and shows including dog fight in the mela for the participants.
Baba Chamliyal is revered by people because of his saintly qualities and spiritual powers. Till 1971, Pakistanis were allowed on this side of the border to pay obeisance at the shrine and offer “Chaddar’’ but after 1971 Indo-Pak war the practice was stopped.
The people who participated in the mela were, however, critical of the administration saying till 2009 when BSF was fully incharge of the mela, the arrangements were far better but after the civil administration took over the charge in 2009 no proper attention has been paid for improving the arrangements. Bilu Choudhary Chairman Village Committee of the Mela said since the civil administration took over in 2009 the number of participants has come down.
Earlier, Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Prakash Ganga threw the mela open. Mr Ganga visited the holy shrine and paid obeisance to Baba Chamliyal.
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