Thursday, April 7 2005 17:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kaman Post (LoC-Kashmir): Words failed to bring out their emotions, as a group of 30 passengers from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) crossed into the Indian soil after a historic bus journey that re-united people divided by the partition of 1947.

"I am really happy," said an overwhelmed middle-aged man belonging to the post-partition generation, as he crossed the freshly painted white 'Peace Bridge' into India.

The first group of passengers, mostly elders, were received warmly by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and his Deputy Mangat Ram Sharma besides army and civilian officials.

It was a touching sight, as an old woman on a wheelchair led the visitors, who became emotional as soon as they reached this side of Kashmir. One of them bent to kiss the soil and several of them could be seen with moist eyes.

Echoing similar feelings, another passenger thanked the Governments of India and Pakistan for starting the historic service that stood suspended for the past 57 years.

A big hoarding on this side of the LoC displayed Iqbal's famous poem, 'Mazhab nahin sikhata apas mein bair rakhna (religion does not teach enmity)'.

"I am really happy. My father migrated from Baramulla in 1949. It would be the first time since then that I will meet my blood relations," a passenger said, before being whisked away by security personnel.

Another visitor Sikander said that he was happy about the service, as he would be able to meet his relatives after decades.

Another passenger said that his son and daughter-in-law were in Kaman Post whom he was looking forward to meet.

According to Begum Zamrooda, an ex-MLA of PoK, she was so happy that she could not express it in words.

Liaqat Ali, deputy commissioner of Muzaffarabad, who accompanied the passengers to this side, expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements for the visitors. He said more visitors would follow suit.

Ali could be seen distributing sweets to Indian journalists waiting for the visitors from Muzaffarabad.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was scheduled to talk to the passengers through video conferencing at the Kaman post but it was cancelled at the last moment.