5 days on, Dinanagar returns to normalcy

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Dinanagar, August 1

This nondescript small border township in Gurdaspur district seems to have come to the terms after it suffered a horrendous terror strike a few days ago.

It presented a picture of contrast for a place where heavily armed militants fired indiscriminately on its streets claiming lives of innocent people during the early hours on July 27.

Amid tight security on roads leading to Gurdaspur and Dinanagar, the markets open till late evening and heavy volume of traffic can be witnessed on its roads. Hectic activity is seen on streets dotted with numerous vendors selling garments, utensils, snacks etc.

Gurdip Singh, in charge, EO wing at SSP’s office, Gurdaspur, said not a single vehicle approaching Dinanagar was left unchecked. “We randomly search the belongings of the passengers and this operation is conducted round-the-clock,” he said.

Rakesh Mahajan, who owns a plywood shop next to the dhaba whose owner was the first target of the terrorists, said things had returned to normalcy. “Even during the operation of flushing out terrorists, a large number of youth and elderly weren’t indoors. They were rather curiously witnessing the operation. Though there was a decline in the footfall of customers for a day or two after the attack, the business is now usual,” he said.

The centre of the attraction is the police station where the terrorists were holed up. Being located on the main road, it catches the eye of almost all passersby. Mohinder Singh, an ex-serviceman, said he was curious to visit the portion of the bullet-riddled building that he saw on television.

Raman Kanta, a police official’s wife, who lived inside this police station, said though it was quite scary but she now felt safe.

“That day, I went out at 5.30 am for a morning walk. Suddenly, I heard a strange noise which I thought to be of a tyre burst, but it took me no time to realise the situation when there were repeated sounds. I kept my children confined to the house and informed my husband, who was on duty, not to return as there was firing in our complex. Today, it’s all normal”, she said.

Their neighbour Raj Kumar, naib reader with SP, said his only worry was that the terrorists might take their families hostage. His son Rohit Sharma, a college student, said he was on normal routine to attend classes.

Their relative Meenu Sharma came all the way from Noorpur in Himachal to enquire about their well being after learning about the instance.