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| INDO-PAK TENSION | | LoC trade normal, ties dismal | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 16: Even as Cross-LoC trade is going on briskly despite hurdles between two parts of Jammu and Kashmir but the current round of tension between India and Pakistan has clearly cast its shadow on people-to-people contacts as not many people are now traveling through the bus service.
The prevailing tension between India and Pakistan in the wake of Mumbai terror attack affected the weekly bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad as only new passengers travelled across the border to meet their relatives.
A total of 29 passengers on Friday crossed the border in Uri sector in the weekly bus service between the two sides, official sources said. They said 11 passengers, including nine returning to Pakistan, boarded the "carvan-e-aman" (peace carvan) from Srinagar on their way to POK. Eighteen passengers, including 12 returnees came from across the border.
The sources said there has been a considerable drop in the number of passengers from both sides over the past few weeks following tension between India and Pakistan. People intending to travel across the border said they do not want to risk going to POK to meet their relations at this juncture as in the event of any hostilities they may get held up there.
"I have relatives in POK and wanted to go there to meet them but I have abandoned the idea for time being in view of the tension prevailing between the two countries," said Mohammad Sultan of Uri.
In the last bus which plied on the route on Thursday, just 25 passengers crossed sides.
Trade across LoC normal despite strained relations between India, Pakistan
Chakan Da Bagh
However, despite mounting tension and strain in relations between India and Pakistan in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks, cross border trade between the two countries across the Line of Control (LoC) continues normally.
Relations between traders on both sides remain cordial as they express happiness over their business dealings.
Trucks carrying goods from Rawalakot in Pakistan administered Kashmir crossed into Jammu and Kashmir at Chakan Da Bagh on Thursday.
"Whenever a consignment of goods crosses over to either side, the people are excited on both sides. This sentiment is shared on both sides and we don't think it will lessen. It will continue like this," said Zafar Mehmood, Deputy Commissioner, Rawalakot.
The Indian traders favour continuation of the trade between the two countries although the fear that it might be shut looms large over their minds in wake of deteriorating relations with Pakistan.
"Considering the present situation, the relations are bound to be strained and the trade might be closed. But we feel that the trade should not be closed and the relations should improve," said Ramesh Chaddha, an Indian trader.
The trade on the Poonch-Rawalakot route began from October 21, in 2008 opening avenues of better earning for traders on both sides of the LoC.
Prior to starting of trade, passenger bus services initiated across the LoC to facilitate people-to-people contact had become very popular.
But of late the number of passengers traveling on these bus services has declined sharply. Now, the traders fear that the tension might affect the trade ties as well.
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