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| Close to LoC, Poonch-Rajouri not aware of trade | | | HAMAAD SALIF
POONCH, Sept 28: In sharp contrast to a sense of ecstasy and feeling of victory in Kashmir Valley on cross-LoC trade agreement, there is no awareness among the people of Rajouri and Poonch on which is going to happen in late October.
The cross-LoC trade between two parts of divided Jammu and Kashmir has to run through two routes –Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote. While on the longer route, Srinagar-Muzaffarabad, there are business plans, hopes and expectations and on the shorter route, Poonch-Rawalakote, the cross-border trade is a strange word to majority of locals.
Many spoken to in this historical border town of Poonch feigned their ignorance about the LoC trade. “We have heard on radio but don’t know anything beyond that”, says Sat Pal, a shopkeeper in the town. Gufoor Khan, another smalltime businessman on way to Chakan-da-Bagh crossing point, says, “we are keen to trade with Rawalakote but have not been gather knowledge about how to proceed”.
There is no organized business chamber or in local terms the Beopar Mandal in Poonch. After its split few months back, the Beopar Mandal is an unorganized body and there hardly appears any consultative process on the issue. Its former president is away to Jammu, probably to meet the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. However, a well informed local business Rakesh Gupta pointed out that the traders in Rajouri and Poonch were never consulted by any one –neither government nor trade lobbies –on the cross-LoC trade.
Same is the situation in Jammu where local traders are unaware of the development which is being described as a historic initiative. Most of the people spoken to in the town went to the extent of arguing that trade pact is only for Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route and not for Poonch-Rawalakote. When convinced that it is on both routes, the traders did not show much excitement.
“We don’t know what is in demand on other side of the Line of Control and what is in plenty there which can be consumed here”, says Vijay Gupta, a general merchant in Rajouri. “Even if we think of trading across the Line of Control what will be the mode of payment…how will we get paid for the commodities sold?”, asks Sanjeev Sharma.
Rawalakote in Pakistan administered Kashmir is just 46 kilometer away from Poonch town and some 150 kilometers from Rajouri. The twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch are among the largest producers of Rajmash which is one of the items on export list. Marble which is on import list is in great demand in this region which is on fast path to urbanization.
Originally Poonch Rawlakote Road was conceived by Raja Jagat Dayal Singh of Poonch Principality in 1938 who had passed orders for the construction of this road. However the Raja died in 1940 and Poonch came directly under the control of Kashmir Darbar. Therefore the construction of this road was delayed till 1943 when fair weather road was opened for traffic. From 1943 to 1947 Poonch Rawlakote Road was used more for trade than passenger traffic. In those days Rice, Maize, Garlic, Chilies and other eatable items were transported from Poonch to Rawlakote which was the main marketing centre of these items. During the turmoil of 1947 most part of Poonch principality had fallen into the hands of rebels and tribesmen who were operating under the supervision of Pakistan army. Under these circumstances Rawlakote town was vacated on 14 November 1947 by Colonel Hiranand Dubey of State forces when he along with a contingent of force and a caravan of 10 thousand refugees had left Rawlakote for Poonch. from November 1947 till 7 November 2005 there was no people to people contact between both the parts of Kashmir in Pocnch area. The Poonch Rawlakote Road remained suspended for about 58 years; it was only after the earthquake of 2005 when relief and rehabilitation centre was established at Kanchàman Post on 7th November 2005 for exchange of relief material and meeting of divided families on humanitarian grounds. Later on this route was replaced by Poonch Rawlakote Road on 2th June 2006. At the time of inauguration of fortnightly bus service from Poonch the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had offered Pakistan for more CBM’s on the LOC including trade and tourism but Pakistan government was reluctant and non cooperative for cross LOC trade due to certain reasons. Therefore during last 28 months only divided families could travel across the LOC, even than this CBM has created very congenial atmosphere in both the parts of Kashmir.
As per the experience of two and half years, Poonch Rawlakote Road have become the prime route between the two parts of Kashmir because it is centrally located and 63% divided families belongs to the regions from where this road is passing. The fact is revealed from the passengers who traveled during this period. As per the official figures 4836 persons had crossed the LOC from Poonch Rawlakote React during last 28 months while only 3674 persons cross the LOC via Srinagar Muzaffrabad road in 41 months. Even in this figure of 3674, a significant percentage of passengers have been from Jammu province, particularly from districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Therefore the frequency of bus service across LOC from Poonch Rawlakote road have been increased and fixed at weekly basis from September 2008 keeping in view the more pressure of passengers on this road. |
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