Life in the villages situated along the India-Pakistan border in Ferozepur district of Punjab is returning to normal, with the villagers coming back to their homes that they had left behind for safer places following tensions between the two countries.
After the two neighbouring countries arrived at an agreement on May 10 to halt military actions, the residents of the border villages started coming back.
Malkeet Singh of Jallo Ke village, situated at a stone’s throw from the International Border, said, “People are coming back and it feels like life is returning to normal, step by step.” Reflecting on the tense days of the conflict, he said, “The first few days were terrifying. We heard strange sounds at night and the fear of the unknown kept us all awake. But slowly, things are beginning to settle down.”
Several residents of the border villages, including Gatti Rajoke, Tendiwala, Kalluwala, Nayi Gatti Rajoke, Jallo and Rahime Ke Gatti, had left for safer places when the tensions between the two countries escalated.
Tara Singh (40) from Nayi Gatti Rajoke talked about the painful reality of leaving everything behind.
“After the tensions soared, most of the people left. It was not easy. Some spent thousands of rupees to bring their belongings to safety,” he said.
