Month after 2 dozen cattle strayed across LoC, Gurez villagers seek return

Bandipora, Sep 26: More than a dozen families in Gurez villages, near LoC of north Kashmir's Bandipora are seeking government help in bringing back their cattle, which include yaks, who they say have crossed over to LoC to the other side a month ago.

The villagers from Achoora and Choorwan in Gurez, which is close to the LoC, in an appeal have requested both the governments to expedite the return. The villagers said the majority of the cattle have crossed the LoC towards Neelam Valley in Pakistan Occupied  Kashmir a month ago. "We appeal to both the countries to help us get our cattle back," they said.

While talking to local police, they said, "There are claims made by the locals and we are working in coordination with the army." The official said almost twenty cattle, villagers are claiming, have gone to the other side. "Almost from each household a cattle is missing. The locals are adamant they have crossed to the other side," SHO Gurez, Nazir Ahmad, told Greater Kashmir on Friday.

The police figures suggest 19 or more cattle are missing. An official said they were at the army post near LoC on Friday too to find the solutions to the issue.

Abdul Wahab Lone, a resident of Choorwan, said about all families in Choorwan and some in Achoora have lost an animal by crossing over LoC.

His brother, Ghulam Qadir Lone, has two cattle missing, including a yak, locally called "Zomba" which are most reared by villagers and has cost him sixtey thousand rupees, he said. He said almost thirty cattle are on the other side.

Lone said the cattle were for grazing in the upper reaches, but crossed to the other side near Indian Army's Ranjeet Post, where locals are not allowed, and have gone further downhill. Wahab said local officials had expressed helplessness, but the army had suggested locals to assemble near the LoC and make announcements via megaphones in coming days.

In a video appeal too on Thursday, locals sought help with the return. For the residents in Gurez, the cattle are an important source of their livelihood and to help their return they say is crucial.

Notably in July, 2021, same issue emerged from Badu-Aab village of Tulail in Gurez, when almost 29 yaks crossed the LoC. They were later repatriated with help from officials of both the sides, a week later.