As per schedule, we started in the morning for Laungewala, with our cab driver Prakash, who was from Dunes Taxi Service. He can be visited through this link- dunestaxiservice.com
We started our journey in the morning so as to reach before noon so as to avoid heat waves.
The road to Laungewala was empty during morning time but it was very narrow, so many times the speed of the car was to be reduced. It took 2 hours 30 minutes to reach the Laungewala check-post, where documents of the visitors are checked.
Before reaching the check-post, our driver Prakash asked me to prepare the documents required for verification and than we found that I was carrying the original identity proof, but my wife forgot to carry the original document. I was carrying the copy of her identity card, so I decided to show the same at the check-post.
At the check-post, me and Prakash stepped out of the car and went towards the checking area to fulfill, the entry requirements. Meanwhile, an army personnel went towards my car and did formal inspection from outside and from there he shouted to mark at the register for 2 men and one lady. As soon as the person at the check-post heard the voice, he asked me to present the wife for identification. I asked my wife to accompany me to the check-post for identification, with the copy of identity proof.
The army personnel who inspected my vehicle, asked me to show the document instead of going towards check-post and there was a moment, when everyone was laughing.
It happened so,
I told the army personnel that I am carrying the original identity proof but for my wife it is a copy. I handed over my Voter ID card to him and after checking he returned it to me.
For my wife, I was carrying copy of passport, which I handed to him. And the conversation went in this manner….
Me – Sir, please see the document of my wife (Sir, wife ka document dekh lijiye)
Army men- Let me see (Dekhen)
Army men- What is this document (Ye kya hai??)
Me- copy of Passport (Passport ki copy)
Army men- Copy of Passport? (Passport ki copy??)
Army men- This will not work (Ye nahi chalega)
After hearing above sentence, I was shocked. Being an army controlled area, rules are strict and it was my mistake that I forgot to bring original document of my wife. But returning from this place because of this small mistake would be disheartening. However, I discussed this issue with Prakash on way to Laungewala and he told me that it all depends on the circumstances that what documents are accepted and what not. Documents like Voter ID card, Passport, Aadhar is generally accepted without any issue but any other documents create issue and than it is at discretion of the BSF to allow entry or not. And my case was falling under the second condition. But following discussion took everything in a different dimension.
Me- It will not work here !!!! (ye nahi chalega!!!!)
Army men- What is the sanctity of this document, this is not allowed here (is document ki kya manyatta hai, ye nahi allowed hai)
Army men- Don’t you know that passport of other county is not allowed for entry ( aapko pata nahi hai ki doosre desh ka passport allowed nahi hai)
Me- Sir, it is Indian Passport (Sir, Indian passport hai)
Army men- Indian Passport!!!! Let me see once again (Indian passport hai, dekhen)
Army men- You should have told me earlier (Arrey, pehle batana chahiye than na)
Army men- Indian password is valid document, Go (Indian password allowed hai, Jao)
All present there started laughing.
As soon as there was sound of laughter, all tension was wiped out from our faces and as well as our driver Prakash. We three along with army personals were laughing a loud because of short conversation which led to little confusion. And we could not stop laughing for atleast 15 minutes, thinking of the situation of panic and confusion little while ago, while we stepped into our car and headed towards the Laungewala post.