Mela Tripuri Sundri held in south Kashmir after 17 years

South Kashmir, July 5 (UNI) Emotional scenes were witnessed when thousands of Kashmiri Pandit migrants and local Muslims participated in the Mela Tripuri Sundri at Khanbernein Devsar in Anantnag district after 17 years.

The mela provided an opportunity for the Pandits to meet their Muslim brethren after 17 years, said the local Muslims who had made arrangements for the pooja.

Organized for the first time after 1990, more than 5000 devotees, including 2000 Muslims and about 1500 Kashmiri Pandits participated in the two-day Mela.

Majority people said that the mela, organised by all party Migrant Coordination Committee, has provided a common platform to the people of various shades of opinion to strengthen the communal amity, love, peace and brotherhood.

The Kashmiri pandits, who arrived from different parts of the state to participate in the mela after 17 years, were greeted by locals Muslims who had come from different villages of south Kashmir.

Minister for Roads and Buildings Gulchain Singh Charak, Member Legislative Assembly Devsar Sartaj Madni, Major General Parkash Menon, JoC Victor Force, Brigadier H S Schedava and organizer Vinod Pandita were prominent among those who addressed the gathering at the two-day Mela.

''We could not believe our eyes when we saw Makhan Lal and his family members after such a long time, said Abdul Gaffar a local villager, recalling the golden days when the members of both the communities lived peacefully, celebrating each others festivals.

He said both Muslims and Pandits offered a joint prayer during the mela for restoration of peace in the valley.

Even though much blood had been shed during all these years, nothing has changed as far love and affection of the people is concernED, said Makhan Lal.

Similar sentiments were expressed by other members of the Pandit community who wanted more such melas and meetings to help bring members of the two communities, closer.

UNI BAS SHR VA RAI1248