BSF allows public to watch retreat ceremony

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 10

Finally after seven days, the public was allowed to participate in the retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah joint check post on the Indo-Pak Border today. The development came as a relief for tourists, who specially come to watch the retreat ceremony, from all over the world.

It is pertinent to mention here that a stone was thrown during the retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah joint check post on October 30. The stone, which was thrown from the Pakistan side, landed on the Indian territory.

A section of Pakistani spectators also raised anti-India and pro-Kashmir slogans. The BSF authorities banned public participation in the ceremony from October 3 onwards, a day after the incident.

However, the customary parade and lowering of the flag ceremony went on as usual without any break.

Tourists were facing harassment after the ban on watching the retreat ceremony came into force.

Harit Patel, a tourist from Gujarat said, “I reached Amritsar a day before yesterday. I visited all religious places and those of tourist interest till yesterday evening. I wanted to see the retreat ceremony. But the cab driver told me that the BSF had banned the public participation. I decided to stay for one more day to watch the ceremony. Today, the BSF allowed the people to attend the ceremony. Now, I am going to see it.”

Meanwhile, auto-rickshaw drivers and cabbies were also happy with the move of the Border Security Force (BSF). Surinder Singh, an auto rickshaw driver said, “I have been ferrying tourists to the Attari border from past several years. Due to tension on the border the number of tourists has decreased considerably. Meanwhile, BSF also banned public entry in the area. We have been suffering financial losses.”