Worried, not afraid, say border residents in Ferozepur sector

The escalation of tension between India and Pakistan has compelled the residents of Husainiwala to send the children and women to safer places. The residents fear that if a war breaks out, the army might stop movement on the bridge on Satluj that connects it to the mainland.

The escalation of tension between India and Pakistan has compelled the residents of Husainiwala to send the children and women to safer places. The residents fear that if a war breaks out, the army might stop movement on the bridge on Satluj that connects it to the mainland.

Residents taking their belongings to a safer place from Kamlewala village in Ferozepur on Monday. (Amit R Joshi/HT Photo)

Mangal Singh, former sarpanch of Basti Chuggewala village said that farmers can’t leave their homes as they have to harvest paddy crop. The procurement season has begun and they can’t let the standing crop get destroyed.

The residents of these villages are using wooden boats to transport combines, tractors and agriculture implements as their land is surrounded by Sutlej.

Harpal Singh, sarpanch of Kamelwala village, said that the administration has sent policemen to safeguard the homes and asked them to vacate their houses.

“But it is difficult to leave everything behind. We are being asked by the police to arrange food. How can we provide them anything when we are eating langar provided by NGOs?” said Harpal.

Police have been appointed by the administration in the villages bordering Pakistan.

ASI Devender Singh said that they have been sent from Patiala, they have no arrangement for food as two teams of four each were sent and kitchen has not been set up.

Residents of Kaluwalla have started harvesting unripe paddy that they can keep at mandis as it will ripe in a few days.

Residents of these villages are complaining that the administration asked them to evacuate on a short notice.

Ferozepur MLA Parminder Singh Pinki said that the administration went overboard and created panic. He said that there are no facilities at the camps. This is harvesting season and the administration should have made arrangements to assist the farmers.

Ferozepur DC DPS Kharbanda said that the administration has not asked the villagers to vacate houses but made arrangements if anybody wants to leave. He added that 35 camps and six shelters were made at gurudwaras and 617 people have taken shelter at these camps.

He added that there is no need to panic and situation is under control.