Uncertain future worries evacuees

Chandigarh, September 29

With their money and personal belongings thrown in a hurry in their trunks and rucksacks, residents of several villages in border district of Gurdaspur are heading towards safe destinations, not sure whether they would get to return to their homes left behind.

Residents of Chavkran, Marada, Chebe, Mammiyan, Shahpur Afghana, Nandala, Dorangla, Deolan and Kukar Shod villages have evacuated their homes.

Navv Sogi, 25, from Dorangla is moving in her relatives’ place, though she plans to eventually move in with her relatives in Faridkot. “Out of all things, you would find villagers asking each other about the extra taalas (locks). We want to lock all rooms and trunks before leaving,” she says, sounding worried.

For the elderly, it’s a matter of weeks before the war would erupt and eventually Pakistanis will cross the border and loot their homes. “We did the same,” shares 61-year-old Baldev Mann, remembering the 1971 war, when they entered Pakistani border villages and looted their belongings. — TNS