CM urges Centre for hassle-free travel across LoC

Kaman Post (Line of Control):
Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has urged the Centre to consider greater and hassle-free to-and-fro movement of cultural troupes, students, pilgrims and tourists across the Line of Control.  Describing cross-LoC travel as one of the most significant Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan, Mr Sayeed said the people-to-people contacts need to go beyond divided families.  For this, he urged upon the Centre to consider greater and hassle-free to-and-fro movement of cultural troupes, students, pilgrims and tourists across the LoC.
As per agreement between India and Pakistan, only families divided in 1947 due to partition are allowed to avail the cross-LoC travel facility on ‘Travel Permits’ instead of International Passports. However, travel permit is issued only when both the countries clear the name of a person. The Chief Minister said this during his visit to Kaman post, the last Indian military post on this side of the LoC and Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC), Salamabad, Uri yesterday, where he announced several decisions to strengthen the cross-LoC trade and travel.
He visited Kaman Post, ten years after Karvan-e-Aman cross-LoC bus began on April 7, 2005 during his first tenure as the Chief Minister of the state. Mr Sayeed is also scheduled to visit Chakan da Bagh, in Poonch today to take similar review of the cross-LoC trade and travel, an official spokesman said here. (AGENCIES)