For married women living in relief camps near the International Border it is going to be a long haul on Saturday. As per tradition hundreds of displaced women would be observing fast to mark the Karva Chauth-a day long festival in which married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands.
More than 30,000 displaced people have been camping across relief camps in RS Pura, Bisnah, Samba,Kathua, Pargwal and Kanachak areas for last more than one week to save their lives. On Friday though peace prevailed along the borders as no fresh firing was reported but border residents continue to live on the edge.
“We are still not prepared to go home for fear of getting caught in the cross fire. We cannot trust Pakistan. They fired on Indian villages on the occasion of Eid.last year too they had fired on Indian villages on the eve of Karva Chauth. This year we are going to observe fast while staying in the relief camp”, said Sumitra Devi, resident of village Abdullian.
One of her neighbours Bimla Devi too is prepared to observe the day long fast without following traditions. “As we are staying in relief camps we cannot follow the rituals away from the comfort zones of our homes”, said Shakuntla Devi. “We will observe fast during the day and perform pooja in the evening after moon rise to break our fast”,she added. Soma Devi camping in Deoli relief camp in Bisnah area said, “my husband purchased some of the necessary items required for pooja. “We cannot afford to spend huge money . We have suffered damages due to intense Pak shelling in our area”.
Due to escalating border tension markets wore deserted look and businessmen could not do business. Beauty parlour owners in RS Pura could not attract more customers due to prevailing border tension. Arnia, most populous towns of RS Pura,remained shut for last five days as mortar shells landed in the main bazaar. On the eve of the festival some of the shopkeepers lifted their shutters but there were not many customers.