Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 9: While a good number of PoK visitors are arriving here via Chakkan-da-Bagh, not even single Indian (J&K resident) from Poonch-Rajouri, intending to visit their relatives in Pak occupied Kashmir could cross over to that side merely due to non-clearance of their travel permits by the Pakistani authorities in last five weeks.
Today when Chakkan-da-Bagh cross LoC point opened at around 2.30 pm for the weekly crossing, 23 persons including 17 new PoK residents arrived in Poonch to visit their relatives residing in Poonch and Rajouri districts. Six others were the J&K residents who arrived after a stay of over six weeks.
Interestingly, not even a single J&K resident (Indian visitor) crossed over to that side while a large number of 64 PoK residents returned to their homes after visiting their relatives here. For the last five consecutive weeks the number of Indian visitors to PoK via Chakkan-da-Bagh cross LoC point has remained `zero’.
Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Sajjad Ahmed Khan when contacted said that a good number of PoK visitors are arriving here every week in Rawalakote- Poonch bus but unfortunately from this side no Indian could visit to their relatives on that side. Though a good number of them have applied to the Pak authorities but due to non-clearance for their travel documents by Pak authorities, they are unable to go.
The DC pointed out that Indian authorities are continuously clearing the travel permits of the PoK residents intending to visit this side but unfortunately despite several reminders and requests from this side, the authorities on that side perhaps are reluctant to clear the pending cases. He said that the issue has been taken up afresh with the concerned Indian authorities for exerting pressure on Pak authorities in clearing pending cases.
Another senior officer in the District administration when asked about the pendency of the cases, claimed that over 3000 persons from this side had have applied for the travel permit but due to non-clearance of their cases for the last more than six months to one year by Islamabad, they are waiting for their turn. The number is gradually increasing and the people get frustrated when they are denied travel permit or if so much of delay is caused.
Another J&K resident Imtiaz Hussain from Poonch who had gone there along with his two daughters, disclosed that Pak authorities in view of some pressure from some agencies hesitate to clear permits as after visit by the J&K residents, the agencies creating wrong illusion among a section of people get exposed. This exposure perhaps damages their interests. This could be the reason for the non-clearance of cases.
He disclosed that after getting travel visa for 28 days, he wanted to return after 14 days from Pak due to prevailing condition there. There is massive power curtailment in Mirpur (PoK), condition of people is not good. There is no development and the PoK residents were leading miserable life. On the other hand, the J&K has witnessed good development. Water and power supply is very good here. There is no lawlessness and the females feel safe and secure here but condition is worse there. He said that Govt of India must take up the issue with the Pakistani authorities aggressively for getting the pending cases cleared.
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