Title: I Feel I’m Alive Again: J&K Resident After Ceasefire Announcement
The announcement of a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan has brought a sense of relief and hope to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly those living along the Line of Control (LoC). The ceasefire, which went into effect on February 25, has brought an end to the constant shelling and violence that had plagued the region for years. Residents of Poonch, a district in J&K, are among those who have been most affected by the conflict. One such resident is Khalil Ahmad Bandey, a 70-year-old retired forest official who has lived through some of the toughest times in the region.
“I feel like I’m alive again,” Bandey said in an exclusive interview with Indian Express. “You can’t imagine; we people had vowed so many niyaz (an offering of food or other gifts to fulfill a vow) to have a ceasefire between the two countries. Today, I feel that vow is being fulfilled.”
Bandey’s words capture the sense of relief and hope that has gripped the people of Poonch and other parts of J&K. For years, the region has been plagued by violence and instability, with shelling and firing from both sides of the LoC a regular occurrence. The constant threat of violence had taken a toll on the residents, who had grown tired of living in fear.
The ceasefire announcement has brought a sense of calm to the region, with residents reporting a significant reduction in shelling and violence. Bandey, who has lived in Poonch all his life, has seen the worst of times in the region. He has lost count of the number of times he has had to take shelter in a bunker or a cellar during shelling raids. He has also lost loved ones in the violence.
“During the 1990s, I lost my brother in a cross-border firing incident. It was a traumatic experience, and it took me years to come to terms with it,” Bandey said. “Since then, I have been praying for a ceasefire, and today, I feel that prayer has been answered.”
Bandey’s story is not unique. Many residents of Poonch and other parts of J&K have similar stories of loss and trauma. However, the ceasefire announcement has given them a glimmer of hope. For the first time in years, they feel that there is a chance to rebuild their lives and move forward.
The impact of the ceasefire on the residents of Poonch cannot be overstated. For years, the region has been plagued by poverty, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to basic amenities. The violence had also led to a brain drain, with many young and educated people leaving the region in search of better opportunities.
However, with the ceasefire, residents are hoping that things will start to change. They are hoping that the ceasefire will lead to increased investment in the region, improved infrastructure, and better access to basic amenities. They are also hoping that the ceasefire will lead to a more peaceful and stable region, where they can live without fear.
The ceasefire has also brought a sense of relief to the farmers of Poonch, who have been struggling to cultivate their land due to the constant shelling and violence. The shelling had damaged their crops and livestock, and many had been forced to abandon their farms.
“Now that there is a ceasefire, we can focus on our farming again,” said a local farmer, who wished to remain anonymous. “We can finally cultivate our land without fear of shelling or violence. It’s a huge relief for us.”
The ceasefire has also brought a sense of hope to the youth of Poonch, who had grown tired of living in a region plagued by violence and instability. They are hoping that the ceasefire will lead to more opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
“I am hopeful that the ceasefire will bring peace and stability to our region,” said a local student, who wished to remain anonymous. “We can finally focus on our studies and our careers without fear of violence or instability. It’s a huge relief for us.”
In conclusion, the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan has brought a sense of relief and hope to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly those living along the Line of Control. Residents of Poonch, like Khalil Ahmad Bandey, are among those who have been most affected by the conflict. The ceasefire has brought an end to the constant shelling and violence, and residents are hoping that it will lead to increased investment, improved infrastructure, and better access to basic amenities. The ceasefire has also brought a sense of hope to the youth of Poonch, who are hoping that it will lead to more opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
