Authorities again establish contact
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 9: As relations between India and Pakistan remained strained, the miseries of 119 civilians—116 from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and three from Jammu and Kashmir have piled up as they remained stranded in each other’s territory for past over five weeks now due to closure of cross-LoC weekly bus service on Poonch-Rawlakote route.
Cross-LoC trade also remained suspended for fifth consecutive day today on Poonch-Rawlakote route, taking the losses to nearly Rs 40 crores. The Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) at Chakan-Da-Bagh remained deserted with no passengers and trucks for crossing over.
Deputy Commissioner, Poonch Tariq Ahmad Zargar told the Excelsior that they were in touch with authorities at Uri in Baramulla district for repatriation of 116 stranded civilians of PoK from Kaman Post on Uri-Muzaffarabad route and simultaneous return of three civilians of Poonch and Rajouri districts, held up at PoK, from there.
“Talks in this regard are on,” he said.
Last week, J&K and PoK authorities during their meeting at Kaman Post in Uri, Baramulla had agreed to send the stranded passengers of both sides to their native town from Uri-Muzaffarabad cross-LoC point. Though the weekly bus along Uri route plied this Monday, the passengers were not shifted and they remained stranded in each other’s territory prompting protests by PoK citizens in Poonch.
Zargar said talks were on to facilitate return of stranded PoK citizens from Uri route and secure return of our three civilians from the same route.
Meanwhile, according to sources, deadlock persisted on Poonch-Rawlakote route as Pakistan army was not opening the gates at Chakan-Da-Bagh from where the bus and truck enter into PoK. Sources pointed out that heavy mortar shelling by Pakistan army on the LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri including Chakan-Da-Bagh was the major reason for stalemate on cross-LoC trade and travel.
Sources said authorities have also taken up the issue of stranded civilians with External Affairs Ministry and Union Home Ministry for taking up the issue with their counterparts in Pakistan to ensure return of stranded passengers of J&K and PoK back to their homes simultaneously either through Chakan-Da-Bagh point in Poonch, Uri-Muzaffarabad route in Kashmir and Wagah border in Amritsar district of Punjab.
Sources disclosed that both the Union Ministries have agreed to take up the matter with their Pakistani counterparts to facilitate return of stranded passengers to their home towns safely. The External Affairs Ministry has also extended stay of PoK citizens, putting up with their relatives and friends in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, beyond permissible limit of 14 days as exceptional case in view of extraordinary circumstances due to closure of gates at Chakan-Da-Bagh.
Authorities on this side have already advised the businessmen, who deal in cross-LoC trade, not to send their trucks to Poonch till the matter is resolved.
Pointing out that this was for the first time in the month of June and July when Pakistan army targeted Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) at Chakan-Da-Bagh by firing mortars and resorting to firing with heavy firearms, sources said since Chakan-Da-Bagh area falls within the shelling and firing range of Pakistan, authorities were not taking any chance to risk the lives of civilians and truck operators.
Cross-LoC trade also remained suspended on Poonch-Rawlakote route for past consecutive five weeks now. The trade was also suspended along with the travel.
Suspension of cross-LoC bus and trade on Poonch-Rawlakote route for five weeks comes amidst reports that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had recommended that trade on both cross-LoC routes should be stopped as it was being misused by some traders for funding terrorism and fuelling unrest in the Kashmir valley.
However, the Home Minister has not reacted to the NIA recommendation so far. The NIA has been investigating the case of terror funding through cross-LoC trade on both Poonch-Rawlakote and Uri-Muzaffarabad routes.
The trade across the Line of Control (LoC) was suspended on July 11 after heavy firing and shelling from the Pakistani side caused damage to trade facilitation centres and police barracks.
Sources said the suspension of trade along LoC has led to a loss of about Rs 40 crore.
Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed worst border skirmishes along LoC as nine soldiers were among 11 people killed last month. Eighteen people were injured besides 35 structures were damaged in July, sources said.
Cross-LoC trade and transport facilities are considered major confidence building exercises between India and Pakistan.
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