Loketpur Encounter

A True Short Story

On Saturday, the 14th of September 1991, Chetan, accompanied by his colleague Shri Jagan Nath Bhat, a native of Loketpur village and fellow employee at the Srinagar General Post Office, undertook a daring journey to document the sacred Ragnya Shrine nestled in the heart of Loketpur (also known as Logripora). For Shri Bhat, this journey was also deeply personal, as it marked his return to his ancestral village for the first time since the forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in January 1990.

During those troubled days, the Kashmiri Pandit staff of the General Post Office (GPO) were housed within the secure confines of the office complex, their movements closely monitored and restricted under stringent security protocols. Stepping beyond that cordon was unthinkable. But Chetan’s unwavering dedication to documenting the spiritual heritage of his homeland left no room for hesitation. Quietly and without informing their superiors or colleagues, the two slipped out of the security perimeter, driven by resolve and a deep sense of duty.

Back then, Saturdays were observed as holidays for administrative personnel, offering the perfect veil of opportunity for their silent departure. Fuelled by purpose and a quiet thrill of risk, they set out on what would soon become an unforgettable and harrowing expedition.

Upon reaching Anantnag, Chetan wisely decided to include a trusted employee from the Anantnag Head Post Office in their group, someone who, in his judgment, might be of help should any exigency arise, particularly given the precarious situation for Kashmiri Pandits in the region at that time.

By approximately 12:30 p.m., the trio reached the outskirts of Loketpur. Guided by Shri Jagan Nath Bhat’s familiarity with the landscape, they neared the shrine. On the advice of the Anantnag employee, the driver brought the Gypsy to a halt about 250 yards short of the actual site, sensing the prudence of a low profile approach. From there, the group proceeded on foot, the shrine resting quietly on the right hand edge of the road.

Chetan wasted no time. With his camera poised, he began capturing the solemn surroundings of the once revered shrine. Entering the sanctum, he discovered the sacred spring embedded in the wall where the icon of the Mother Goddess Ragnya had once resided. The niche was now tragically empty, the sacred icon had vanished.

Just as he was concluding his work, faint voices reached his ears from outside. Within two or three minutes, Chetan stepped out, only to be met with a gathering crowd, around forty to fifty villagers, now encircling Shri Jagan Nath Bhat. What began as an exchange of words between familiar faces soon escalated into heated arguments and a physical confrontation.

The employee positioned near the vehicle quickly gestured urgently to Chetan, signaling danger. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Shri Jagan Nath Bhat also rushed back toward the vehicle. The driver, sensing the tension, had already started the engine. In a frantic scramble, both Chetan and Shri Bhat managed to leap into the moving Gypsy as the mob surged toward them, their anger growing by the second.

By a stroke of providence and the presence of mind shown by the driver, the vehicle sped away just in time, narrowly evading any damage. Though breathless and shaken, the three occupants emerged unharmed. It was a narrow escape, a brush with danger that underscored the volatility of the times. Yet for Chetan, the mission was not in vain. The visit, despite its perils, became another poignant chapter in his quiet crusade to preserve the sacred memories of a fading homeland.

Picture: AI generated.