Fake currency charge stumps PoK visitors

Abhishek Behl, Merinews


Two visitors from Pakistan already wary of visiting India had a nightmarish experience when they crossed over to this side of the border. Suspected of bringing in fake currency the duo was released only after tasting the hospitality of security forces.



THOSE LIVING in Pakistan particularly in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) always dream of visiting Jammu and Kashmir to meet their relatives and friends, long separated by the curse of partition. The shared burden of history and three wars between India and Pakistan have almost made it impossible for people on both sides of the border to meet each other.

Although the opening of borders at Uri in Kashmir and Poonch in Jammu has allowed the people to realize their dream of meeting each other but the hardened attitude of the establishment on both sides of the border has often been a bugbear for the visitors.

Recently, two visitors from Pakistan occupied Kashmir recently had to face the wrath of investigating agencies fuelled by a shared sense of mistrust and suspicion. When Ashiq Khan and Liaqat Khan, both residents of Kotli in PoK crossed over to this side of the border in Poonch they were thrilled as a grand reception was awaiting them in Mendhar. However, the moments of bliss proved momentary courtesy the Immigration and Customs authorities, who asked the duo to stay put as they were suspected of bringing in fake currency.

The authorities were not moved even when the visitors told that this currency worth Rs 990 in ten rupee notes, was handed over to them by a designated bank at the Pakistani Customs and Immigration point. The duo was made to sit throughout the day at the Immigration point and in the evening they were handed over to Police authorities in Poonch.

While authorities were taking their own time to investigate the matter, both Ashiq and Liaqat feared the worst if anything came out against them during the checks. Talking later to the media persons, the duo said that they were thinking of a long term in jail and prayed to god for an early sorting out of the matter. Their calls were perhaps answered by God, when the branch manager of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, who was brought in by Poonch police verified the antecedents of the currency and told that it was original.
It was only after the local bank officials informed that the currency was not fake that the duo was released by the police late in the night.

SHO of Poonch, Nisar Khan, when contacted admitted that the duo had been arraigned on the suspicion of bringing fake currency but they were released later. He said that the since the currency proved to be original no case was made against them.

Not ready to take the risk of travelling in the thick of the night, the visibly shaken Ashiq Khan and Liaqat Khan called it a day in Poonch. During an interaction with locals, they said “This was one of the most harrowing days in my life and I pray to god the same should not happen to anyone both in India and Pakistan.”

Although people in both India and Pakistan are ready to forget the past and move on to future but it seems that the officials on both sides are frozen in history, said Ashiq Khan, adding “if we don’t move on history will never forgive us.”