Breaking another barrier with Pakistan

Breaking yet another barrier between traditional rivals India and Pakistan, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday flagged off a truckload of tomatoes at Attari-Wagah border amidst festivities, and also protests from coolies.

While Badal was accompanied by a battery of his ministers and MPs to flag off the truck, the atmosphere on the other side of the border appeared a bit cold with just a commanding officer of Pakistan Rangers there to receive the truck. But Attari border was decked up to mark the historic event as bhangra beats reverberated in the air as the truck crossed over.

About 1,000 coolies from the Attari railway station had also assembled there to protest against the initiative. They raised slogans and pelted stones to vent their anger fearing losing their jobs. Windowpanes of a couple of trucks were also damaged, but they were kept at bay by securitymen. Later, Badal assured them that their licenses would not be cancelled. He assured that the newly started trade activity through trucks would generate tremendous work for the coolies as many new warehouses would be developed near the border area


Courtesy:Times of India
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