Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Jan 12: Various social organizations, intellectuals and civil society of Poonch have appealed India and Pakistan to take immediate steps for restoration of peace on the Line of Control and implement the ceasefire agreement of November 2003 in letter and spirit.
In a joint statement, issued here today, they stressed that all efforts should be made to defuse the tension on border and restore cross-LoC trade as well as weekly bus service on Poonch-Rawlakote route. This is in the utmost interest of the people residing on both sides of LoC, they added.
Highlighting the importance of peace for both the countries, particularly people living along border, the statement said that the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) like cross-LoC bus service, trade and ceasefire on border had provided a sign of relief to Poonch people after suffering miseries and tension for decades.
The CBMs provided an opportunity for the divided families to meet their relatives after decades while the ceasefire brought a sense of security among people and created a conducive atmosphere for development in border areas.
However, the statement added, the unfortunate incident of firing and brutal killings along the LoC at various places in Poonch and Uri have shaken confidence of people who are in panic and do not want escalation of tension between the two countries.
President of Heritage Centre Poonch, K D Maini, president Anjuman-e-Jafaria Poonch, president of Public Peace and Development Foundation Poonch, Khatab Jama Masjid Poonch, general secretary of Cross LoC Traders Association are among the signatories of the joint statement.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel