People in Punjab, Haryana celebrate Eid with fervour

Chandigarh, June 26

Amid tight security, the Muslim community celebrated Eid in various parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Monday.

With tension remaining between India and Pakistan over terror attacks on security forces and ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir, no sweets were exchanged between the border guards at the joint checkpost at Attari-Wagah, 30 km from Amritsar.

Officials of the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers exchange sweets on religious occasions and national days of both nations but the tradition has been given a break a few times in the past five-six years.

In Chandigarh, hundreds of Muslims converged at the Sector 20 Jama Masjid and other mosques to pray and celebrate Eid and greet each other. People turned out in large numbers to offer prayers.

In Punjab, the Muslim population is concentrated in the Malerkotla area near Patiala, 110 km from here, and in Gurdaspur district. Muslims in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Ferozepur and some other towns also celebrated Eid.

In Haryana, Eid was celebrated in the Muslim-dominated Mewat district, besides in Ambala, Panipat and Jhajjar.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar greeted Muslims on the occasion of Eid. IANS