City rocker Pata finally returns home from Kashmir

After three days of being caught in the Kashmir crossfire, city rocker Pata finally returned home on July 16. It was a horror-filled trip but Pata maintains that no amount of clashes could mar the divine beauty of Kashmir that he witnessed.
We had earlier reported how Pata was stuck in Pahalgam, along with his two friends Anindya and Poulam, on his way back from Amarnath.Back in the city, he narrated the tale of his ordeal to us. ���We first realised something was wrong when we reached Pahalgam on our way to Amarnath on July 8. There was heavy military cover and police force was swarming the area. Hotels and restaurants were shut. The roads were deserted and it was a curfew-like situation. We got the permission for ascent on July 9 and we started for Chandanwari on July 10. We spent the night at Seshnag.���
The next morning, they had to ride horses to reach Panchtarni, Pata recalled. ���It was a scary but absolutely gorgeous ride. The roads were tortuous and when we reached, I could not believe that we had hiked up that trail. During our descent, we got stuck a Pahalgam. From July 12 to 14, we were stuck at the base camp,��� he said.
For next three days they kept hoping that the buses would leave for Jammu. Finally, on the evening of July 14, people started protesting. ���We decided to start walking if the trip organisers did not make arrangements for our return. That is when, the authorities, under pressure, asked for some time and made some calls. Late at night, we boarded the buses started on our way down, accompanied by armed forces. The military personnels had warned us that there might be disturbances and stone pelting on the road, so we must stay alert. We did not sleep the entire night. It was only when we crossed Jawahar Tunnel, which is at the border of Jammu and Kashmir, did we feel a little at peace,��� narrated Pata.
His family back in Kolkata also had a harrowing time as the rocker could not contact them for two days. ���There was no telephone or net connectivity. I could contact nobody. However, Indranil da (Sen, state minister of Information & Cultural Affairs) called me up when he read about the situation, and assured me of all help. It was a huge deal, since he is a minister later and a senior first,��� said Pata.