UMERKOT, Sep 15: Following deaths of two men in accidents, a unique three-day Sufi festival (Mela) held across India-Pakistan border in Thar Desert abruptly came to an end on its second day.

Two men were killed and two others injured in two separate accidents during the annual Urs celebrations of Sufi saint Gul Mohammad Shah Ghazi at his shrine located at the border, 55km from Chhachhro, on Wednesday.

In the first accident, the allegedly drunk Majid Khan Mari, nephew of influential landlord Rais Sohrab Khan Mari, crushed three devotees under his jeep while he was reversing the vehicle. As a result Ismail Samejo died on the spot and Razzaq and Shukar Din were injured and taken to Chhachhro taluka hospital.

Relatives of the deceased and the injured did not lodge a case and pardoned the accused on the ground that they had good relations with his uncle.

In the other incident electrician Chhutto Khan Rind died after falling from a tree while installing a tube light there.

A pal of gloom engulfed the festival after the accidents. The administration announced its end and sad participants started leaving for their homes.

Devotees of Gul Mohammad Shah Ghazi are scattered on both sides of the border. Due to visa constraints, those living across the border take part in his Urs celebrations in the Indian territory where they spend three days of the Urs in tents and perform rituals, including prayers while looking at the shrine from afar.

By A.B. Arisar