JAMMU, Oct 15: Two women from Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district were today sent back by the authorities of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) from Hajeera, Rawlakote despite possessing valid permits and not allowed to proceed further to meet their relatives across the Line of Control (LoC).
In another incident, Customs authorities today seized Rs 40,000 Indian currency from a PoK civilian at cross-LoC point of Chakan-Da-Bagh when he was returning home after completing his stay on this side.
Official sources said two women Razia Bi and Nazira Fatima, who were carrying Permit Nos. 364 and 365, both residents of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district, were cleared from this side as permits in their possession were found genuine. They boarded Poonch-Rawlakote weekly bus service this morning at Poonch and reached Chakan-Da-Bagh.
Sources said on reaching Hajeera in Rawlakote on other side of the LoC, the authorities of PoK refused to allow them to proceed further on their side of divided State on the ground that their permits were not genuine.
The women were sent back to Poonch via Chakan-Da-Bagh, sources said.
Authorities described return of the women as `deliberate mischief’ on the part of PoK authorities as their permits were genuine and there was no reason for sending them back.
The women had been visiting Hajeera in Rawlakote to meet their relatives.
Meanwhile, authorities on this side today seized Rs 40,000 from a PoK civilian, Mohammad Sharief of Hajeera, Rawlakote, which he was taking illegally to his house at Hajeera after staying nearly about a month with his relative Abdul Hamid Sheikh of Surankote.
After seizing the currency, the authorities allowed Mohammad Sharief to proceed to PoK in the weekly bus.
Sources said as per the agreement between the Governments of India and Pakistan, a civilian was allowed to bring only Rs 15,000 from across the LoC. On return, he had to exchange the currency (whatever left with him after his stay) at Chakan-Da-Bagh.
However, Mohammad Sharief was found carrying Rs 40,000 with him on his return to Hajeera.
Authorities seized the entire amount but allowed the civilian to proceed to his home.
Sources said investigations would be conducted to ascertain source of money the PoK citizen was possessing. Abdul Hamid Sheikh of Surankote to whom Sharief had come to meet from PoK could be questioned, sources said.
Meanwhile, 45 civilians today crossed Chakan-Da-Bagh in the weekly bus services. Twenty-one civilians left Poonch for Rawlakote. They included 10 first timers from this side and 11 PoK citizens, who returned home after completing their stay on this side.
Twenty-four civilians reached Poonch from Rawlakote including 18 guests and six returnees of this side.
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