Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 17: Even as an uneasy clam prevailed on the Line of Control (LoC) after Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) level talks, the Government was likely to approach the External Affairs Ministry for sending 65 citizens of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) back to their homes either from Uri-Muzaffarabad route on the LoC or Wagah border in Amritsar district of Punjab on the International Border (IB).
“As there appeared to be no immediate chance of opening of gates at Chakan-Da-Bagh from where weekly Poonch-Rawlakote bus service operates every Monday, the Government would approach the External Affairs Ministry in next couple of days to take a decision on sending 65 PoK citizens back home especially 35 civilians, who have been overstaying on this side in view of suspension of the bus services, through Uri route in Kashmir or Wagah in Amritsar”, official sources told the Excelsior.
They said the Trade Facilitation Authority was of the view that since Chakan-Da-Bagh gate fell under the jurisdiction of Pakistan Army, they were unlikely to open it for cross-LoC travel and trade on Poonch-Rawlakote route until situation completely de-escalated between the two countries. It was Pakistan, which had refused to open gates at Chakan-Da-Bagh on January 10-two days after the brutal killing of two Army jawans at Mankot in Poonch sector citing that their trucks and bus fell in the firing range of the Indian troops.
According to sources, the External Affairs Ministry, which monitors cross-LoC trade and travel between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) on two routes of Poonch-Rawlakote and Uri-Muzaffarabad, was being conveyed by the State Government about the fate of stranded civilians of both sides in each other’s territory.
“The External Affairs Ministry can take a decision on whether to send the stranded passengers back home via Uri-Muzaffarabad route or Wagah border in Amritsar district of Punjab”, sources said, adding that “as soon as a decision was conveyed by the Union Government, the stranded civilians, who were a worried lot after tensions escalated between the two countries, would be sounded”.
As reported by the Excelsior, a total of 123 civilians were stranded in two parts of divided States after the suspension of weekly bus service. While 65 PoK citizens were held up on this side of the State, 58 persons from parts of Jammu region were stranded in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Out of 65 PoK citizens, 35 had been overstaying on this side due to suspension of the bus as their extended term of permit has already expired. The cross-LoC visitors are granted permit for 28 days, which was extendable by further 14 days. Similarly, 58 civilians from this side were held up in PoK and half of them were overstaying.
Sources said since there appeared to be no immediate end to de-escalation of tensions on the LoC between India and Pakistan despite ceasefire by the two nations during past more than 24 hours, the External Affairs Ministry was expected to find a way out of sending the PoK civilians back and bring citizens of this side to their homes.
Sources added that the Government could also make an attempt to get Chakan-Da-Bagh gate opened for one day to facilitate return of the civilians stranded on either side.
As far as cross-LoC trade was concerned, which has also been suspended on Poonch-Rawlakote route, sources said a decision on resumption of trade and cross-LoC bus depended on complete de-escalation of tension between India and Pakistan.
Meanwhile, after the DGMO level talks between India and Pakistan last evening on hotline and Pakistan’s direction to its Army to exercise restraint, there had been no firing on the LoC including Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district during past 24 hours (after the talks).
“Pakistan has blinked after stern message from Army chief Gen Bikram Singh and Northern Command chief Lt Gen KT Parnaik that Pakistan would be given an appropriate response”, sources said, adding Indian Army had been retaliating only when provoked.
Worthwhile to mention here that tensions had escalated between the two countries after Pakistan Army had intruded inside the Indian territory and killed two Army jawans brutally. They had taken away the head of one of the jawans and their two service weapons with them.
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