Three days ago, for the first time since the start of cross-LoC bus, the civil, police and other concerned officials of the two parts of divided State met for about 40 minutes at zero line at Chakan-Da-Bagh on Poonch-Rawlakot route and discussed a host of issues pertaining to the aspirants of visiting two parts of the divided State. The teams were led by the Deputy Commissioner of Poonch and his counterpart from Rawlakot. Major issue under discussion was a large number of applications from people on both sides desiring to visit their relatives. The officers from both sides decided that they would take up the issue with concerned authorities to ensure issuance of permits within 45 days.
The officials from this side took serious note of truck drivers from PoK smuggling with them Pakistani SIM cards and currency, which could be utilized by the Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of militants. They wanted Pakistan authorities to frisk truck drivers before they cross the LoC alongwith goods.
The meeting between the officers from two parts of the divided state is a healthy development. It will make the movement of goods and people across the LoC hassle free. Small initiatives are bound to yield fruit in due course of time. It is true that some of the issues that came up can be decided only by the Home Ministry from our side. However the Indian side did give an indication that in some areas like internet and telephone connection facilities could be considered as demanded by the traders on both sides.
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