Chakan-Da-Bagh gates opened
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 2: Cross-LoC bus on Poonch-Rawlakote route resumed its operations today after two weeks after Pakistan authorities, which had not been opening gates at Chakan-Da-Bagh, agreed to facilitate the movement of civilians between two parts of divided States.
Cross-LoC trade, which has also been suspended three weeks back, would be resumed tomorrow, official sources said.
Two major Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan had come under clout after heavy firing at Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch district between June 12 to 19. Claiming casualties on their side, Pakistan authorities had refused to open gates at Chakan-Da-Bagh for past three weeks leading to suspension of bus and trade between two parts of divided State.
Official sources said all civilians from Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), who had been stranded into each other’s territory due to suspension of cross-LoC bus, were cleared today with resumption of the bus services.
A total of 90 civilians crossed sides in the bus services including 45 from each side.
Of 45 civilians, who left for PoK from Poonch this morning, 41 were PoK citizens, who returned home while four others were first time visitors from this side of the State, who left for other sides of the LoC to meet their divided family members and relatives.
Of 41 PoK citizens, more than two dozen had been overstaying on this side due to suspension of the bus service. From PoK, an equal number of 45 civilians entered this side in the bus services. Among them were 40 guests from PoK and five civilians of this side, who came back home after completing their stay on other side of the LoC. Sources said these five civilians had also completed their stay in PoK but were held up there.
The resumption of cross-LoC bus has given sigh of relief to many persons, who were intending to visit PoK from this side. Reports said that similar was the situation in other part of the LoC.
Meanwhile, cross-LoC trade on Poonch-Rawlakote route, which was suspended for nearly three weeks, was all set to resume tomorrow morning, sources said, adding Pakistan authorities have agreed to open gates for all four days of trade this week from Tuesday to Friday.
Trade remained suspended for nearly three weeks in the aftermath of firing in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district.
Sources said the trucks had reached Trade Facilitation Centres (TFCs) on either side for crossing over from Chakan-Da-Bagh tomorrow.
Cross-LoC Traders from both sides have formed a Joint Federation comprising traders of J&K and PoK, engaged in trade on Poonch-Rawlakote and Uri-Muzaffarabad routes, to facilitate trade between two parts of divided State.
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