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| Traders in Kashmir demonstrate against shutting down cross-LOC trade | | | Though the Cross-LOC trade was a barter system and neither traders inb Kashmir nor inb Jammu nor in Pakistan occupied Kashmir earned some money still there was a protest against shutting down cross-LOC trade.In fact late Mufti Shaib was the architect was not only the people to people contact but of the Cross-LOC trade.It was he as Chief Minister was the first to invite the then Congress Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh,to Salamabad to inaugurate the people to people contact under which those families which were r estranged because of partition too the advantage of it. As these estgranged families were able to meet their relations in Kashmir or in Muzaffarabad.After the people to people contact the stgate Government introduced the cross-LOC trade for which two routes were earmarked,one from Uri and another from Poonah.
Scores of cross-LoC traders staged a protest demonstration in Srinagar, seeking resumption of the trade between India and Pakistan.The traders associated with Salamabad cross-LoC traders Union gathered at a Park in Srinagar to protest against the trade suspension by IndiaThe protesting traders were carrying placards that read "We Want Justice and 'resume trade, don't play with our fate."On 19 April Union Home Ministry suspended the cross- LoC trade, stating that the routes were used for "inflow of weapons, narcotics and foreign currency".The move was criticised by Traders and politicians in Kashmir The cross-LoC trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote routes was started on October 21, 2008 as a Confidence Building Measure (CBM) when PDP was in power in the State.
Anything done by Government of India is berated by politicians and traders.Why this route,meant for trade,was being misused by Pakistan ? In fact Islamabad is responsible for the shutting down the trade route.
Probe has confirmed reports that from Pakistan trucks meant to carry trading items carried weapons, money and narcotics. And hence Islamabad was responsible for changing the order of Cross-LOC trade. And the weapons were meant for militants who had been pushed into Kashmir through ceasefire violations, narcotics was smuggled into Kashmir for intoxicating Kashmiri youth who could also sell the items to secure additional funds. The money was being smuggled as part of hawala chain that suited separatists and other supporters of Jihad. |
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