Before the fateful exodus from Kashmir, this bus traversed the scenic roads from Anantnag to Lamed village (Kulgam) daily. This bus was attached to the Achhabal Adda union. Sh Prathvi Nath Kandroo, its proud owner, drove the bus himself, while his brother, Chuni Lal, served as the conductor. Their livelihood depended on this bus, a lifeline connecting people and places.
But fate had other plans. The Kashmiri Pandit community’s forced displacement in 1990 turned their world upside down. The Kandroo brothers fled in the same bus and reached to Battal Ballian camp Udhampur, leaving behind their home, memories, and a way of life.
Initially, route permits eluded them, forcing Sh Prathvi Nath and Sh Chuni Lal to ferry army personnel to Kashmir. The bus became a means to survive, earning meager income amidst uncertainty.
Later, they secured a route permit, but for a dry route within Udhampur-Battal Ballian camp. The camp’s relocation to Purkhu village, Jammu, dealt another blow. The bus lost its daily passengers, rendering it idle.
Today, this bus stands as a poignant reminder of the Kashmiri Pandits’ genocide and exile. Prathvi Nath’s passing has left the bus an orphan, a testament to the community’s struggles and resilience.
The bus’s silence screams stories of:
Forced departures
Lost livelihoods
Shattered dreams
Unhealed wounds
This bus, once a symbol of hope and connection, now stands as a haunting memorial to the Kashmiri Pandits’ painful history.
May its story be a reminder of the community’s unwavering spirit and the longing for justice and return
Author: Unknown.
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