People in some border villages of Ferozepur district in Punjab began moving to safer areas amid soaring tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor.
Other villagers near the International Border (IB) with Pakistan in Amritsar and Tarn Taran border districts, however, remained calm as they carried on with routine work on Wednesday.
Villagers in Ferozepur said they have begun shifting their belongings despite no official evacuation orders from the BSF, Indian Army or any government agency so far. They said the decision to move, especially women and children, was their own.
Tendi Wala, Kalu Wala, Gatti Rajo Ke, Jhugge Hazara, Navi Gatti Rajo Ke, Gatti Rahime Ke, Chandiwala, Basti Bhanewali, Jallo Ke were among the villages from where people were leaving.
Kakku Singh (63), a resident of Babmha Haji village in the Mamdot area, said he had come to meet his two daughters who had been married in Kalu Wala village. Notably, Kalu Wala is surrounded by Sutlej river from three sides and Pakistan on the fourth.
“When I heard the news about India’s action in the morning, I was worried about my daughter and their families. Now I have come here not only to meet them, but also ensure that they go to my village till the situation becomes normal,” said Kakku Singh.
Pachho Bai (58), an elderly woman from Tendi Wala village who was packing up clothes along with her daughter-in-law, said she is feeling concerned because their house is situated just 2 km from the IB.
“We are six members in the family. My husband and son have gone to work right now, but we are planning to move to some relative’s house soon. That’s why we are doing our packing,” said Pachho Bai.
Some villagers could be seen taking their belongings like beds, coolers, washing machines, fridge and foodgrain containers on tractor trolleys to their relatives. However, there were many villagers who, despite the tense situation between the two neighbouring nations, were keeping their spirits high. Surjeet Singh from Tendi Wala village said he is proud of the Indian Army.
Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma said on Wednesday that there is no reason for panic in the district as of now. She said neither the Army nor the district administration has issued any directive to evacuate border villages and assured that the administration is fully alert and prepared.
In border villages of Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts, however, people remained calm. Gurmeet Singh, a resident of Chinna Bidhi Chand in Tarn Taran, said there was no panic in the village. Children are at home due to closure of schools announced by the district administration.
Sucha Singh, who lives in Naushera Dhalla in Tarn Taran, said people are busy with their day-to-day work and farmers are in their fields. He said no government official has asked them to leave their homes or move to safer places.
Border villages of Attari, Mahawa, Pul Mohra and Bikhwind in Amritsar district also appeared calm. At Attari, a villager said they were getting calls from relatives from other places to know about the situation. “The situation is peaceful and we are not scared at all,” he said.
However, farmers who have agricultural land beyond the barbed fencing were not allowed to go to their fields as gates remained shut at all Indo-Pak borders in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts.
The Amritsar international airport has been closed and the director of the airport communicated in writing that all commercial, civil, domestic and international flight operations have been suspended till 5.30 am on May 10. All educational institutions also remained shut on the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner’s orders. Meanwhile, people queued up at some fuel pumps to refuel their vehicles.
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