Bomai Village Rejoices as Pandits Return

SRINAGAR- The process of homecoming for the Pandits who left the valley over 17 years ago has begun; ripple of joy went through Bomai area of Sopore when 25 Pandit families who had fled in the early nineties, returned to their native village.

Their Muslim neighbours gave them a rapturous welcome, with the local MLA Abdul Rasheed Dar, closely involved with the celebrations.

Chuni Lal who spent the past 17 years living the life of a refugee in Jammu, said that he had thought the day would never come.

"I am looking forward to resuming my life in my native village," he said.

"By the grace of God, hearts pained for years will find solace now with the return of peace in the valley," Lal said.

Another migrant, Maharaj Krishen, said that he has been In the village for the past ten days, and it appeared as if everything had taken on a festive air. He was full of gratitude for his Muslim neighbours who, he said, displayed the same love they more than seventeen years ago.

Bhushan Lal said that when he arrived in his native Bomai, the people there greeted him with garlands.

The returning Pandits thanked MLA Abdul Rasheed and the sub-district magistrate for making it possible for them to meet their long-separated friends. "We feel as if new life is coursing through our veins," they said.

The MLA announced to release Rs 2 lakh from -his constituency development fund for the repair of the local temple.

Reports say that a festive air prevails in Bomai for the past four days, and the Muslim community is overjoyed at the return of their Pandit brethren.

The process of the migrants' return to Bomai is on for the past four days, and the families that have come back are being housed in the local Dak Bungalow for the time being. (Kashmir Observer, 18 May, 2007)