Kheer Bhawani Spring Turns Red, KPs Says It's Bad Omen

Beware of red colour in shrine's spring wa ter

Beware! The Kheerbhawani spring

water in Ganderbal district of Kashmir

has turned red.Is it ominous ? Is it portentous ? If one talks to scientists they say that it is a natural phenomenon.Others who support this version say that the colour has changed because of increase in sulphur level in the spring water.Others say it is the algae that may have grown inside the spring water.But those who have been watching the colour of the shrine's spring water say that the colour changes to either black or red whenever Kashmir is going to be in trouble.They say that black or red colour of the spring water may denote bloodshed or some upheaval in the Kashmir.Those who hold this view refer to the tribal raid on Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 and recall that at that stage the colour of the spring water had turned red and then black.In support of their claim they refer to the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984 which had later led to riots in Delhi and say that at that stage also the colour of the spring water had turned red.And its colour had turned black during the 1989-90 period when Kashmir witnessed militancy related violence leading to the exodus of over 3.50 lakh Pandits from the valley.According to the Shrine priest the colour of the spring water has turned red in recent days. The priest,has said that the water of the spring was tested and it was revealed that no outside stuff had been put into it, but it had naturally turned red.The news about the change in the colour of Kheer Bhawani spring water has started fuelling various speculations among the locals and especially among the Kashmiri Pandit community. "We may have to keep our fingers crossed and pray for the wellbeing of all, as the change of water colour at Kheer Bhawani is not a good omen," people believe.

Informed sources say that the colour of the shrine spring water started changing soon after the Janam Ashtami celebrations ended.Scientists argue that spring water keeps on changing colour as water flows from various strata of rocks of different shape and colour.But those who have been witness to the magic of the changing colour not agree with any logic from geologists or scientists.The have witnessed disaster of one form or the other whenever the spring water has assumed black or red colour.They say light azure or green colour is a sign of peace,normalcy and progress. Those who have witnessed the impact of the changing colour of the spring water on the state's security scenario feel worried over the red colour of the spring water.They say if spring water keeps on changing colour while flowing from one strata of rocks to the other why does not the spring water become yellow,or violet or white ?It is either light creamy or light blue or green during good times and red or black during the time Kashmir has to face some disaster or violence. Security and political experts,who otherwise do not get swayed by the colour of the spring water while forming or framing their opinion,do admit that the situation on the LOC and the IB in Jammu and Kashmir is a bit disturbing and volatile.They do agree that the political and security scenario within the state of Jammu and Kashmir is disturbed and attempts were being made to derail whatever level of peace is there in the st- ate.Though these experts have no faith in the argument that change in colour of Kheerbhawani shrine spring water is portentous they do accept that the security scenario in the state has started becoming quite difficult and disturbed with Pak forces bent upon violating ceasefire agreement by pounding Indian border posts for carving out a passage for militants keen to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir.To them change of colour in spring water could be a coincidence but one is forced to believe in the argument of the shrine priest and others who see in the red colour signs of bloodshed.The recent communal violence in Kishtwar and its adjoining areas and unsavoury incidents at Shopian and its fallout on the security scenario in rest of Kashmir make one have faith in the uncanny power of the changing colour.Well is time for the Goverment agencies,that usually do not have faith in such uncanny developments,to review the entire security situation with reference to the machinations of agencies across the LOC and the IB and the plans of militants operating within Jammu and Kashmir.If this is done time is not far off when the colour of the spring water turns into light azure,signaling peace and normalcy.