Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 1: The External Affairs and Home Ministries of the Centre were expected to take a call on return of 116 citizens of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), who remained stranded in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri for past about a month, even as cross-LoC trade between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) remained suspended for fourth consecutive week on Poonch-Rawlakote route in Jammu region and second week on Uri-Muzaffarabad route in Kashmir.
Official sources told the Excelsior that authorities have sent a detailed report to both the Union Ministries that 116 PoK citizens remained stranded in parts of Jammu region for past more than a month while three persons from this side were held up in different areas of PoK after completion of their stay as the cross-LoC bus service on Poonch-Rawlakote didn’t move since July 10 as Pakistan army and PoK authorities were not opening gates at Chakan-Da-Bagh from where the bus crosses over to other side of the LoC in view of escalated tensions on Line of Control (LoC) following heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistani troops.
This is for the first time since cross-LoC bus was launched on Poonch-Rawlakote route in 2008, initially as fortnightly service and later converted into weekly followed by start of trade between two parts of the divided State, that gates remained closed at Chakan-Da-Bagh for more than a month.
While weekly bus plies every Monday, trade takes place for four days in a week from Tuesday to Friday. Today was fourth consecutive week of suspension of trade between the two sides.
Custodian of LoC Trade Poonch, Mohammad Tanvir said the trade will not take place this week as well in view of non-opening 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.
According to sources, authorities have briefed the External Affairs and Home Ministries of the Government of India about the stalemate leading to holding-up of 116 PoK citizens in Jammu region and three civilians from this side at PoK for past about a month now and requested for taking a decision on their return.
Sources said simultaneous return of stranded people of both sides either through Chakan-Da-Bagh or Wagah border in Amritsar district of Punjab is being considered as families of holed-up people have repeatedly been approaching the concerned administration seeking return of their kin.
Cross-LoC trade also remained suspended on Uri-Muzaffarabad route of Kashmir for second consecutive week today. The trade was suspended last week after the recovery of major consignment of narcotics from a truck at Uri, which had reached from PoK. Cross-LoC bus also didn’t ply on Uri-Muzaffarabad route yesterday.
Suspension of cross-LoC bus and trade on Poonch-Rawlakote route for four weeks followed by Uri-Muzaffarabad route for second week 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 Rs 25-30 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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