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Peepal marks an elusive peace on Indo-Pak border

Bang on Zero Line in no man's land stands a Peepal tree in perfect equanimity, impartially providing shade to all and with roots firmly embedded in Indian and Pakistani soil.

Perhaps, the common Peepal is a reminder that nature cannot comprehend the lines drawn by man, nor accord recognition to the divisive laws of the land.

By some stroke of providence, the tree took root in the midst of a brick wall marking Zero Line near a Border Security Force octroi border outpost on the Jammu-Sialkot (Pakistan) highway in the R S Pura sector.

Many anecdotes stem from this unique tree that has seen peaceful times and hostile times in that dangerous, landmine-infested tract which separates the neighbours. But its foliage and roots extend equally on both sides as if to signify oneness with the people of the two countries.

Mercifully, there is no dispute over the ownership of this gift from nature, and it is treated with respect by both the BSF and the Pakistani Rangers.

The Indian and Pakistan border outposts are situated about a hundred metres on either side of no man's land, and the security forces manning these generally keep to themselves.

As and when the need does arise for a rendezvous, a person comes up to this strip of land and lets out a shrill whistle whence the two sides make a beeline for the Peepal tree. The tree itself seems to exude an indefinable aura of peace and goodwill so much so that people meet around it two or three times a day.

Some Pakistani Rangers and BSF personnel told a visiting UNI correspondent that when they gather around the tree, there is a general spirit of freedom even while maintaining military protocol.

Before Partition, there used to be an octroi check-point here for vehicles proceeding towards Sialkot, about 20 km away. After 1947, the Indian side retained the name 'octroi', but the Pakistani side later changed it to inayat shaheed.

As the story goes, a Pakistani Ranger, Inayat Khan, had made some uncharitable remark about former prime minister Indira Gandhi soon after she was assassinated by her bodyguards on October 31, 1984, when the entire country was in mourning. Overhearing the innuendo, an Indian jawan promptly shot Inayat Khan and he was martyred -- from the Pakistani point of view, that is.

UNI

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