STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The prevailing border tension across Jammu region has not deterred the spirit of common masses to participate in large numbers at local Ram Leela events and at the same time preparations are in full swing to celebrate the Dussehra festival-symbolising victory of good over evil.
Starting from Akhnoor, which is largely affected by the continuous Pak shelling for the past one week, the local Ram Leela clubs have been organising annual Ram Leela and entertaining the local population in the absence of other entertainment tools.
Brijpal Sharma, President of Shri Ram Leela Club, Akhnoor said, “We are organising annual event without facing any major hardship”. He said rural population is witnessing and enjoying three hour long Ram Leela show.
He said elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure security of the masses. He said Akhnoor town is not directly affected by the border tension even though large number of border migrants are camping here.
Brijpal Sharma said similar events are being organised at six other places in Akhnoor. The organisers of Ram Leela in Poonch and Sunderbani are equally upbeat and gearing up to celebrate Dusshera. Gayas-ud-Din, who along with his uncle and team of over 50 workers are working overtime in Geeta Bhawan to prepare effigies of Ravana and his brothers Kumbhakarna and Mehgnath, claimed this year barring Srinagar they have received orders from all other major towns of Jammu province.
“We are sending three pair each to Poonch, Rajouri, Nowshera for Dusshera celebrations. In Jammu we are going to provide effigies to Dusshera committees in RS Pura, Bishnah, Sainik Colony, Channi Himmat, Geeta Bhawan (Parade Ground), Resham Ghar Colony,Gandhi Nagar, Roop Nagar, Bari Brahmana,Dablhar, Sunjwah, Nagrota, Udhampur,Reasi”, he added.
Kashmiri Pandits Sangahrsh Samiti President Sanjay Tickoo said due to prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley, Dusshera celebrations are not being held this year. KPSS was instrumental behind starting Dusshera in Srinagar since 2007.Last year fomer Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed had also attended the Dusshera celebrations along with his cabinet colleague Naeem Akhtar and political advisor Prof Amitabh Mattoo.